William Roland McDaniel

Roland McDaniel, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025, in the home he loved, surrounded by his devoted wife of 67 years and their four children.  

William Roland McDaniel was born June 22, 1940, in Horse Cave, Kentucky, the son of Irvin and Ruth McDaniel. Growing up, Roland played several sports including baseball and basketball. In high school, the local paper described him as a "basket-ripping cager" with sizzling shooting from the outside. He caught the attention of a Hart Memorial High School cheerleader, who became his high school sweetheart and biggest supporter before becoming his wife. 

Following high school, Roland attended Western Kentucky University, where he played basketball, before going on to play baseball and basketball at Lipscomb University.

After graduating from Lipscomb, Roland worked at the Louisville Ford Truck Plant, eventually taking night classes to earn a masters degree from Eastern Kentucky University, working his way up to Assistant Plant Manager.

After 30 years of service at Ford, Roland enjoyed many activities in retirement. He was often found at the local country club playing countless rounds of golf with friends and family. He also loved piloting his Cessna 172 Skyhawk airplane, taking short trips to visit children and grandchildren in North Carolina and St. Louis, as well as long cross-country flights to places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; their children, Alice Ware (Michael), Mickey McDaniel (Angie), Mark McDaniel (Kelley) and Sonja Greenwood (Todd); as well as 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Roland loved traveling with Janet, and together they took many trips across the United States and abroad. Some of his favorite memories came from driving thousands of miles through national parks, where he introduced several generations of McDaniel children to the nation’s history and natural beauty. 

Though he loved both watching and playing sports, nothing brought Roland more joy than seeing his grandchildren compete on the golf course or on the field. And his happiest moments were the ones he spent surrounded by all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As longtime members of Westport Road Church of Christ, Roland and Janet rarely missed a Sunday, attending in person for many years before continuing to worship from home.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 29, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Stoess Funeral Home in Crestwood. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by interment at Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in Roland’s honor to Hosparus and Westport Road Church of Christ. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Roland McDaniel, please visit our floral store.