William R. "Bill" Lowe Jr.

William R. "Bill" Lowe Jr. CSM William R. "Bill" Lowe Jr., 78, of Louisa, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bill was born on November 19, 1931, in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, to William R. Lowe Sr. and Mary Weaver Lowe.

He was a Master Mason in the Mount Herman Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 179 in Hyattsville, Maryland.

CSM Lowe retired from the Army after over 20 years of service. He was stationed in Korea during the North's initial invasion in 1950 and for a total of 42 months. He also served two tours in Vietnam with the Special Forces. He was awarded our Nation's highest medal for heroism in peacetime. He charged a burning helicopter placing his life in jeopardy and rescued the crew.

Following the Korean War, he worked military security for three presidents and was honored to escort the widow of General Douglas MacArthur for the 100th anniversary of his birth to the celebration. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge twice and master parachutist airborne wings. His decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star for Valor, two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, five awards, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Korean Service Medal with five stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and his unit citations include the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation. Bill also received the Congressional Veterans Commendation.

Bill Lowe lived a full life after his military retirement, serving as Chief and town Sergeant of the Mineral Police Department, investigator for State of Virginia Tax Department, was a partner in a restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia, two years with Louisa Sheriff's Office and eleven years with Town of Louisa Police Department. He later enjoyed sailing and living in the Caribbean aboard his sailboat, "BAREFOOTIN".

Bill is survived by his six children, William Edward "Bill" Lowe and his wife, Debbie, of Glen Allen, Virginia, Linda Lowe of Ventura, California, Donald A. Lowe and his wife, Teresa, of Louisa, Virginia, Mary E. Johnson of Louisa, Virginia, John William Lowe currently stationed at Fort Knox United States Army Base and Jason Everett Lowe of Louisa, Virginia; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer Lowe Wilson, Dustin Avery Lowe, Amy Elizabeth Lowe, Nicholas "Nick" R. Lowe, Sara E. Talley, Brandon R. Johnson, Stephanie R. Gordon, Rebecca F. Johnson, Brett L. Johnson, Alexis Ann Lowe and Tyler Everett Lowe; two great-grandchildren, McKenzie Lee Wilson and Maddie Grace Wilson; two sisters, June Reed and Nancy George, both of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Dan Lowe.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 and from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, November 22, 2010, at Woodward Funeral Home, 200 Fredericksburg Avenue, Louisa, VA 23093.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at New Life Community Church, 509 East Main Street, Louisa, VA 23093, with the Reverend Josh Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Mineral, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Families of theWounded Fund, Inc. c/o Village Bank P.O. Box 330, Midlothian, VA 23113 or online www.familiesofthewoundedfund.org.

Visit www.woodwardfuneral.com for online guestbook.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.