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WILLIAM BOWMAN Obituary

BOWMAN WILLIAM COX NOYES BOWMAN William Cox Noyes Bowman, producer, director, writer, and amateur anthropologist, embarked on his greatest adventure on August 16, 2019, at 6 p.m. at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. He died of heart failure and complications from a broken hip. He was 69 years old, and is survived by his wife and partner of 45 years, Adrienne V. Parks-Bowman. He leaves behind a host of family and friends, colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances whose lives were immeasurably enriched by his love and generous spirit. He had a scalpel-sharp mind, a shameless wit, a measurelessly giving heart, and a personal integrity that was both rigorous and infinitely loving. He was the great-grandson of Crosby Stuart Noyes, first editor and co-owner of the Washington Evening Star, and a descendant of the Noyes and Hempstone families of Washington DC and Maryland, and the Bowman family of Sikeston, MO. His father was Col. John W. Bowman, USMC, Ret., and his mother was the former Eleanor Noyes Hempstone. He is survived by his brother, Lt. Col. John W. Bowman, USMC Ret. and his wife Grace, and his sister Ellen Bowman Perman and her husband Dennis, as well as his niece Elizabeth Perman Nehdi and her children and his nephew John Perman. His aunt Kathaleen Fishback Hempstone and his cousin Katherine Hope Hempstone and her family also mourn his passing. He was born in Annapolis and grew up in Bethesda, MD, where he attended the St. Albans School for Boys, after a three year enrollment at the Punahou School in Hawaii. He later attended Princeton University, from which he graduated in 1974 with a degree in anthropology. Princeton was also where he met his wife. He worked in broadcast television in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York City, as well as working as a free-lance producer and promotional director for Phil Donahue, Larry King, Charlie Rose, and the New York Yankees. In the music industry, he produced documentaries and music videos for bands ranging from KISS to Bon Jovi to the Moody Blues, and live music events featuring artists including Joan Osborne, P J Harvey, Art Porter Jr., and Sammy Kershaw. He was a writer and producer for musician-comedian Adam Roth, blues virtuoso Bobby Radcliff, and guitar legend Ernie Vincent, as well as helming his own record label, Rollo Records. Bill had a capacious mind and a boundless curiosity and appreciation for music, art, food, literature, movies, television, graphic novels, and all forms of public and private celebration. After two decades in the New York area, he and his wife finally made their home in their spiritual birthplace, New Orleans, LA, where he embraced the Creole culture of death-in-life (and life-in-death) in all its myriad forms, finally joining his spirit in the dance. There will be a celebration of Bill's life in New Orleans in the spring, and a service of remembrance in Washington or Bethesda to follow. In lieu of flowers, mourners are advised to contribute to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. There will be a celebration of Bill's life in New Orleans in the spring, and a service of remembrance in Washington or Bethesda to follow. In lieu of flowers, mourners are advised to contribute to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 27, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM BOWMAN

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5 Entries

November 3, 2019

My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:19)

October 31, 2019

My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:19)

Tania File

October 30, 2019

So lucky to have had the opportunity to listen to his stories while sipping coffee in a gorgeous home and yard. Truly an amazing man.

N. S.

October 27, 2019

My deepest sympathy to the family of William Bowman. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief. Psalm 94:17-19

Tom Cloyd

October 27, 2019

Thanks for the ride.

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

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