William Gene Bowman

Bowman, William Gene, 89, passed away, Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Ellen (Brockman) Bowman and his three nephews and one niece: Timothy (Elizabeth Blackburn) Brockman, Michael (Marcy Taylor) Brockman, Matthew (Terri Brasington) Brockman, and Kay (Bill) Allison. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ann Brockman; six great nieces and nephews, Ann Marie (Tony), Katie (David), Andy, Maggie, Ryan, and Elizabeth; and one great-great niece, Ellen Marie. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tyra and Elizabeth (Bickley) Bowman; his brothers, Howard and Elford Bowman, who died in World War II; his sister, Vernell (George) Thaxton; his brother-in-law, Ellis Brockman; and a great nephew, William Ellis.

Bill was born on April 19, 1924 in Cherokee, Texas, the son of Tyra and Elizabeth Bowman. During World War II, he joined the Pilots Training Program in the US Air Force before being honorably discharged as the sole family survivor. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas in 1951. He married Mary Ellen Brockman in 1954. Bill worked as an electrical engineer for thirty-five years before retiring, and he was a member of the Engineers Club of St Louis.

Bill was an avid gardener. He was a past president of Richmond Heights Garden Club, past president of the Ozark Region Gardeners of America, a Board of Directors member of the National Gardeners of America, and a member of the Gardening from the Heart Program for Disabled Veterans at Jefferson Barracks. He was an accredited judge for Gardeners of America for both flowers and vegetables

Services: According to Bill?s wishes, no public visitation or service will be held, and a private graveside service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to a charity of your choice. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family?s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.