Howard Haas, Jr.

Howard William (Bill/Billy) Haas went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 21, 2022. Billy was born June 8, 1940 in Birmingham, Alabama where he built the rest of his life. After graduating from Ramsey High School, he went on to play for Coach Jordan and the Auburn Tigers as a starting guard. Upon graduating from Auburn University with a business degree, “The Senator,” as his Pike brothers often referred to him, served his country through the National Guard.

Billy met Janet Roedder in 1955, when she was 15 and he was 17. They were married at Eleventh Avenue Methodist Church in June of 1963. Aside from anywhere Janet was, Billy’s favorite place on earth has been Lake Mitchell where he loved to fish and spend quality time with his family. At age 27, Billy negotiated the purchasing of a business, and from there grew the family-owned and operated fabric store into Haas Fabrics, Inc., currently operating as King Cotton Fabrics in Birmingham and Montgomery. Janet and Billy have been in business for 55 years.

He was a voracious reader, mostly of history, wars, and the Bible. He researched his family history for many years wading through public libraries, old family farms, and over-grown cemeteries. He brought alive the facts he found into stories that he told and retold over the years. Papa, as his grandchildren call him, was a true southern gentleman, a man of the utmost integrity, who stood firm on his word and beliefs. He was rock-solid in every way. He was a follower of Jesus Christ who knew his eternal home is with his Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Janet Roedder Haas; two daughters, Kym Prewitt (Johnny), Nina Daniels (David), and his sister, Barbara Ciliberto (Joe). He also leaves six grandchildren whom he adored, Jack Prewitt (Erin), Addie Prewitt White (Jake), Billy Haas Prewitt, Collier Daniels Welch (Jacob), Sadie Louise Daniels, and Mary Roedder Daniels. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard Haas and Louise Clepper Haas and his brother Robert Felton Haas.

There will be a visitation at 11:00 am followed by a memorial service at noon on Monday, October 24, 2022. at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to either the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at Go.uab.edu/vhhsrise or Our House at https://www.ourhouseauburn.org/donate. Well done, good and faithful servant!