William Bowman

1938 - 2021

BOWMAN: It is with heavy hearts the family of William (Bill) Bowman announce his passing with loving family by his side in the early morning hours of December 25, 2021 at Battlefords Union Hospital at the age of 83. A visitation was held at Eternal Memories on December 30, 2021, and a private family interment will take place at a later date. Bill was born on December 4, 1938 to Alfred & Doris Bowman in Shaunavon Sask, and spent his early years on the farm and coal mine in rural Shaunavon. He always insisted on showing his family and friends that he did indeed walk up hill both ways to Avon Heights School. In 1947 the family loaded all their possessions on a train and moved to Edgely to farm the Boxall farm. Bill moved back to Shaunavon in 1956 to apprentice for a journeyman electrician. It was here he met the love of his life Grace and they were married on October 8, 1960. They were blessed with 3 wonderful children Jack 1961, David 1962 and Shelley in 1964. In 1962 they moved to Swift Current where they resided until 1978 when they moved to North Battleford where Bill was employed at the Saskatchewan Hospital, as an electrician, a driver and lastly as Director of Health Services retiring in August 2000. Bill & Grace enjoyed traveling in their retirement, a motor home trip to Alaska and Yukon, winters at Parksville on Vancouver Island, Osyoos and 1 winter trip to Arizona. Family was very important to Bill he spent numerous years coaching his sons in hockey and baseball, helping at the figure skating carnivals and competitions and many family holidays, the most memorial times spent camping at Lac Pelletier where he cleaned 100's of perch until he finally told the family "If your going to catch them, clean them", driving the boat for endless hours while Jack, Dave and Shelly as well as their friends water skied. Annual Froese-Bowman reunions at different locations where all the families got together to fish, and hang out to-gether. With the arrival of each of his 5 grandchildren he was so proud and attended their hockey, baseball or soccer games, Provincial Guitar competitions and rockstar camps, spent hours fishing, golfing and doing whatever they enjoyed. Then he welcomed the great grandchildren and each of the 8 held a special place in his heart, spending as much time as possible watching them grow. If you hear the word volunteer you think of Bill, He never learned the word "no". He coached midget hockey for years before his children were old enough to play, Became a Boy Scout leader with his best friend John Froese, helped keep Junior hockey in the Battlefords by working with the Northwest Hockey Association in the rink concession to raise money for the North Stars and other local teams, was on the North Star hockey Board spending hours in the time keepers box and other tasks that were required, AAA stars board, North Battleford Lions Club, Independent Order of Foresters, Canadian Cancer Society, Saskatchewan Winter Games and Operation Red Nose were only a few of the Organizations to benefit from his countless hours of working bingos and volunteering. Bill is survived by Grace his wife of 61 years, son Jack and his family Morgan (Cassondra) Aiden, Dante, Vaida, Lydia and Cambri, Son David (Laurie) their sons Ryan and Adam (Lita) Parker, Payton, Watson, Daughter Shelly (Rob) Button and their sons Tayler and Zachery, Sisters Phyllis Cameron, Diane (Fred) Danchuk as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents: Alfred and Doris, in-laws: Reg & Mary Green, Brothers-in-law: Jack Cameron, John Green, Lionel Duclos, Sisters-in-law: Carol Duclos, Irene Green. The family would like to thank the Doctors and staff in the ICU at Battlefords Union Hospital for the wonderful care they gave Bill in his short time in hospital, Trevor Watts and his staff of Eternal Memories Funeral Service for their compassion and assistance in this time of sorrow, everyone who has sent messages, cards, flowers or made donations in Bills memory. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to KidSport Battlefords, Box 822, North Battleford S9A 2Z3 or BGC Battlefords, 1301-104th street, North Battleford, SK. S9A 1N9. __________________________________________________