WILLIAM GORDON DOWLING

William Gordon Dowling Gordon passed away peacefully in his home on January 24, 2011, due to complications from pneumonia. He was born on October 3, 1916 in Tacoma, Washington to Willard Grant Dowling and Meta Horther. Gordon grew up in Tacoma and attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1933. He moved on to the University of Washington for a brief time, until he was called to work in the family business, West Coast Fruit and Produce Company. During WWII, he served in Europe as a captain in the Army Air Corp. After the war, he returned to New York. He met a USO representative who asked him to give her sister a call when he returned home to Tacoma. She was an army nurse based at Madigan Hospital. Two months later, he found the note in his pocket, and dialed her up. Her name was Rose Mildred Wilson (Willie). They were married for 61 years until her passing in September 2007. Gordon returned to West Coast Fruit and Produce, where he eventually became president of the company. He served on various bank boards through the years, and was a trustee at Annie Wright School. He also served on the board of the Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society for many years. He is survived by his sons Bill Dowling (Kally), Tom Dowling, grandchildren Zachary, Alexandra, Stephanie, and Samantha, and special blessings go to his caregiver and close friend Connie Weir. A reception will be held in Gordon's honor, Tuesday February 1st, 4:00PM - 7PM at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Please come and remember a "Life Well Lived". Remembrances can be made at the Humane Society of Tacoma, or Bellarmine Preparatory School.