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William Stowe Obituary
Des Moines - William (Bill) Stowe, a long-displaced paperboy for the Des Moines Register and Tribune and Nevada Journal left this Earth on April 14, 2019. Bill was born January 1, 1959 - the first baby born in Iowa that year - in Nevada, Iowa to Gaylord and Rhoda Stowe. Bill was a brother to Bob Stowe (deceased) and Dorothy Hanneman.
Bill made many mistakes in life and tried to learn from each. He was privileged to graduate from several schools: Grinnell College, the Universities of Illinois and Wisconsin, and the Loyola Law School of New Orleans. Although, Bill learned early and always appreciated that many of the most skilled, kind, and influential people never attend college.
An activist by disposition, Bill was a high school page in the Iowa Senate, where he met his wife Amy Beattie with whom he shared a son, Liam. A member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Bill was also active in the faith community centered around Emmaus House in Des Moines.
Bill was a public servant, last serving at the Des Moines Water Works and before that at the City of Des Moines. His experiences in the steel, coal, and energy industries taught him the importance of treating others fairly and embedded in him a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Amy and Liam want to thank all the family, friends, and community members who reached out to William and them during these last few weeks. Though we could not always respond, rest assured the messages were received and filled our hearts. As well as anyone, William knew and understood that, like clean water, life takes a village. Thank you to you all.
Mass celebrating our shared role in God's creation will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life - Open House will be held at the Des Moines Water Works administration building from 4:00-7:00 pm Wednesday.
Bill's body has been donated for scientific research. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to St. Anthony Catholic Church or Emmaus House, Des Moines. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Stowe
Sponsored by Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home.
Mary Anne & Emmett , Steve Lahr, Reinart
April 18, 2019
Our deepest sympathies to Bill's family. We never met Bill. We own land & live adjacent to the North Raccoon River in Carroll County. We are among some grass farmers aligned with what Bill worked to accomplish, clean water for all, not just Des Moines residents.
A Fellow Parishioner
April 18, 2019
Thank you Bill for your service to central Iowa, and our communities. You were an inspiration and humble servant of God. Rest in Peace.
Doyle Hutzell
April 17, 2019
Bill was a true friend to me. He helped me when we lost our daughter to cancer 19 years ago with some legal difficulties. First made friends when we both worked for Mid American Energy. Sorry I missed the services but I am dealing also with some medical problems.
A Southside Resident
April 17, 2019
Rest in peace Bill.
April 17, 2019
A very caring man that love his job and the city of Des Moines. Praying for his family.
Thank you.
April 17, 2019
The smartest individual I've ever known.
Janet Markley
April 16, 2019
Thank you for your service to mankind.
Dana Fedman
April 16, 2019
Thank you for everything you've done for Des Moines and Iowa. You were truly a gift. My condolences to your family and close friends.
Blue
April 16, 2019
Thank YOU, Mr Stowe.
April 16, 2019
Bill,
He will be greatly missed on the South side!
We seem to always run in to each other @ the Vet
on SW 9th. He smiled & said, "We got to stop meeting this way or people we talk". We all laughed!!
God speed may the light shine upon you always.
Dominic Tucci
April 16, 2019
I met Bill years ago shortly after he came to work for the City of Des Moines. I've always had a great respect for him through all the snowstorms; through the flooding and its prevention. Then at Water Works, he boldly directed staff to collect water samples upstream in the Raccoon River watershed and filed the ensuing lawsuit.
I don't live in Central Iowa anymore and I'm disappointed that I cannot attend the mass or the celebration of life. My sympathies to Bill's family.
Soar with the angels, Bill.
Neila Seaman
Pat Connolly
April 16, 2019
Bill, you were one of a kind. You were a great servant of St Anthony, very humble and always a pleasure to talk to. Thank you for all you have done.
Tom Noller
April 15, 2019
I spoke with Bill over the phone many times in my capacity as a reporter for WHO Radio and he was always accommodating to take my calls. Also, one of the most articulate people I've known. He was a terrific guy and will be greatly missed.
April 15, 2019
This is so hard to believe. Bill was such a great guy. Sending our thoughts and prayers to family and friends. R.I.P Bill
Suzan Erem
April 15, 2019
I won't forget talking to Bill for the first time just a few years ago. He called me back while I was standing in a lumber store. I pitched him this crazy idea that we could change Iowa's landscape by permanently protecting farmland near cities, land that would grow clean food in a way that would actually improve our water and soils, and when I was done, I asked, "So, would you be willing to attend the founding meeting?" And he said something like, "Yes, this sounds like a great idea." (Surely I didn't hear a word past "Yes" I was so excited.) Then he showed up, and over the course of 2 days asked all the right questions at the right times and then signed up to serve on the founding board of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. I couldn't believe it. Two months later he filed the lawsuit that would rock the state. Even though I begged him to mention SILT in at least some of his hundreds of talks he gave, he never would. "You don't want that," he'd say. "I'm a lightning rod." Still, he was a guiding force those first two years, always there when we needed him, setting us (me?) straight when we got too ambitious. I'm going to miss his calming voice and common sense. Thank you Bill for this brief time I got to work with you. Thank you for the gifts you've left us. Even now, I can see your patient smile as you tolerate my mention of SILT in your presence! I know you're chuckling. You were a good man and a hero to many. Go in peace. Your work here is done.
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