Sgt. William Louis Bowen, Sr.

William Louis "Bill" Bowen, Sr. (November 20, 1933 - October 2, 2011)

William L. "Bill" Bowen, Sr., 77, of Atchison, KS, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2011 at his home.

William Louis Bowen was born on November 20, 1933 in Atchison, KS, the son of William Jessie Bowen, Sr., and Mae (Burgeman) Bowen.

He attended school in Cherokee, KS and moved back to Atchison in 1950 where he began working at the L.F.M. Foundry and on the Missouri River. For many years Bill was an over the road truck driver. Which he enjoyed.

Bill joined the Navy on January 18, 1951 where he served for two years and then he joined the Army and served until February 18, 1973. Most of his time in the Army was spent in Germany and two tours in Vietnam. Bill retired as a Staff Sergeant. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, V.F.W. Post 1360, Phillipsburg, KS, where he had served as the Junior Vice-Commander, American Legion Post #6, where he had been the Past Commander and he was a board member for the Atchison Housing Authority. Bill was very active volunteering for the Leavenworth VA Hospital. He enjoyed going to the casino, camping, fishing and playing Bingo at the VA. He loved spending time with his family and telling stories.

Bill married Naomi Elizabeth "Liz" Meranda on July 5, 1956. She preceded him in death on February 4, 1996. He later married Rosemary Pantle and she preceded him in death on October 21, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son; James Dominic Bowen, a stepson; Johnny Williams, a stepdaughter; Diane Wright, a brother; Tom Bowen, and two sisters; Mary Bell Bertella and Maxine Montee.

Survivors include his stepmother; Antonia "Toni" (Jimenez) Bowen-Cameron, Atchison, KS, three sons; William Jr. (Theresa) Bowen, Brooklet, GA; Thomas (Nelda) Bowen, Phillipsburg, KS; Tony (Terri) Bowen, Killeen, TX, two daughters; Mary Bowen-Mosher, Atchison, KS, Joy (Tim) Lackey, Phillipsburg, KS, two stepsons; Mark Bowen, Hutchinson, KS and George Snopak, Bonner Springs, KS, a stepdaughter; Beverly Davis Bowen-Eller and her husband, Vernon "Dutch", Gaylord, KS, and a half brother; William "Jas" Bowen, Jr., Belleville, KS, twenty-four grandchildren, fifty-seven great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, and many cousins.