A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 31, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Minister Jason Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at Caddo Mills I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
William was born Aug. 14, 1930 in McKinney, Texas to Theodore Roosevelt Bowen and Tressie Lee Moore Bowen. He grew up on a farm with five other siblings. From an early age, they all helped with farm chores, whether it was picking cotton or plowing the fields.
William was an exceptionally bright student. He was allowed to skip a grade and graduated from Josephine High School at age 16. At age 17, he started college at the University of Texas, where he completed one year. In 1948 He transferred to East Texas Teacher's college, where he graduated with a degree in history and a minor in math.
He returned after his military service to East Texas State University in 1958 and received his Master's Degree in Education in 1960. William joined the Air Force in 1952 with the intention of becoming a pilot during the Korean conflict. He was admitted to flight school only to learn that he was color blind. At that time, it affected his ability to become a pilot. The Air Force wanted him in military intelligence due to his high IQ and photographic memory. They sent him to Syracuse University to the Russian Language Institute where he graduated in 1953. Upon graduation, he spent two years in the Pacific Theatre of operations as a Russian Language Specialist (USAFSS). William was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force after his stint in the South Pacific had he wanted the make it a career. He was honorably discharged in August of 1955.
He so loved the military and to this day will not say what he did while there. He said he swore an oath to the US Government that he would never divulge his experiences and to this day, with lots of prodding from his children and grandchildren, he has never done so. His children do know that he has a commendation from Washington DC Special Services regarding his exceptional duty on July 14, 1954.
After his Air Force discharge, William continued his love of education. He became a teacher/ coach in Westminster ISD in 1955-56. He went on from there to become the elementary principal at Community ISD, as well as a math and science teacher. In 1960-63 William became the math and science teacher at Caddo Mills ISD. In 1963, he became superintendent of Caddo Mills ISD until he retired in 1988. He served 25 years to make Caddo Mills school system a force to be reckoned with.
William loved the Caddo Mills ISD. He would be seen wearing a suit, tie and hat while sweeping the school halls. He could also be seen with his shirt sleeves rolled up and under a bus trying to repair it and save the school money. He integrated Caddo Mills schools and has a legacy of fighting for Caddo Mills ISD autonomy, after the state wanted the school to meld with the Greenville School District. William was recently honored with having his name bestowed upon the Administration Building in Caddo Mills. He was so tearfully happy when he found out. It was a great gift to a very deserving man.
William was also a great animal lover. He had many dogs and cats during his lifetime. Since 2018, he had a German Shepard named Zorro and a little mutt named Zipper. He cherished those dogs and after Billie Faye passed, they became his constant companions. Zorro passed away on Thanksgiving two years ago. William was heartbroken but Zipper became even closer to him, not leaving his side. Zipper stayed in the hospital with him on several occasions. Zipper never left his side or his bed in the later days except to go outside to go to the bathroom.
William also served the community for 18 years by being elected to the Hunt County Memorial hospital board. He was a member of the Finance & Budget committee and Joint Conference Committee for the Citizens Hospital of Commerce.
William married Billie Faye Weatherly on April 20, 1956. They had a beautiful long marriage until her passing on March 2, 2020. She was his rock and he missed her so after she went to heaven. William (Bill) was a unique combination of grit and integrity, toughness and kindness. He was a man of his word and his actions spoke loudly. He would meet you anywhere, at any time, if you needed anything. He tutored many students and inspired them to achieve.
He was a true Christian. He walked the walk. He put his family and friends ahead of himself. His love for his family and his country never wavered. He could still offer political and personal advice at 93, as he stayed fully informed of world events.
His legacy and character lives on in the lives of his children, Pamela and Perry, his daughter-in law, Dana, and three grandkids and seven great-grandkids. William is survived by his son, Perry Keith Bowen and wife, Dana: daughter, Pamela Bowen Stanley, brother James Bowen; sister, Delores Beckham; brother-in-law, Alton Ray Weatherly; grandchildren, Chase & Taren Bowen, Brooke & Kyle Bryan, Evan Shane Stanley; great grandchildren; Harper, Hudson & Hadlee Bowen, Sutton, Addie, Olivia, & Everly Bryan; and his beloved dog, Zipper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, Bob Bowen, Eddie Bowen and Gerome Bowen.
Pallbearers will be Mark Murray, Mark Bowen, Brady Williams, Warren Talley, Jason Tucker and David Lee Dodson.
Condolences(2)
Terry Moore
Caddo Mills, TX Monday, July 29, 2024 Mr. Bowen, as I knew him, was everything as described in the obituary, which is a tribute to his legacy. Having moved to Caddo Mills in 1972 from Mesquite when I was in the 8th grade, I was amazed that the superintendent drove a school bus, substitute taught, performed repairs around the campus and many more things that aren't consistent with what would have been his job description. One of the most memorable to me was knowing he loved everything military, students took advantage of this fact. Often, when he subbed for a teacher, we would steer the class discussion to something military, and he would go off on a tangent and veer far from our lesson. He should be remembered for his passion for doing things his way, which always benefitted the school district and the students. The School District is what it is today because of him.Edward J carlino Jr
South Medford, MA Monday, July 29, 2024 So Sorry for you Loss, we know your hearts are emptyBut he's up there in his Air Force Uniform Watching over you guys
making sure he's ok.
God Speed Officer Bowen
With Love
Eddie Carlino