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William P. Dowling Jr.

William Dowling Obituary

William P. Dowling, Jr. November 18, 1919 - October 6, 2008 SAVANNAH, GA — Father William P. Dowling, Jr., died on October 6 at the Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center in Savannah, after a long illness. William Patrick Dowling was born on November 18, 1919 in Savannah. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Savannah at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah on May 22, 1954. Father Dowling's first appointment was as assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, Savannah, from June 1954 until July 1957. He was then appointed assistant pastor at Holy Family Church in Columbus from July 1957 until June 15, 1958. His next appointment was as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbus from June 15, 1958 until June 15, 1968. Under his leadership, the parish's membership increased from 120 members to 3,000 and in those ten years the parish's budget increased to $110,000.00 per year. During this time, he was also administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes School from 1960 to 1968 and confessor to the sisters at Saint Francis Hospital also in Columbus (1961). On June 15, 1968, Father Dowling was appointed Director of Social Services for the Diocese of Savannah and Coordinator of the Social Apostolate. Father Dowling was pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Saint Marys, from 1977 to 1984, when he retired from active ministry, although he continued to administer that parish until June 1985. In recent years, Father Dowling was in residence at the Rose of Sharon Apartments in Savannah, where he celebrated Mass for the residents three times a week. He also prayed the Rosary with residents, provided the Sacrament of Reconciliation and held discussion groups. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Patrick Dowling Sr. and Marie Stegin Dowling, and by his sister Mary Dowling Rossiter (Jim) and is survived by a brother, Joseph S. Dowling (Angela) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, two sisters, Lillian Dowling Odom (Jim) and Ann Dowling Farr (Joe), and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist on Wednesday, October 8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9 at the Cathedral. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James C. Rossiter Jr., James C. Rossiter III, William D. Rossiter, Konrad Clemens, Joseph D. Farr Jr., Bill Lavan and Joseph K. Ebberwein. Remembrances may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, 601 E. Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com

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Published by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Oct. 8, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for William Dowling

15 Entries

Janice Davis

October 1, 2019

Father Bill, You are thought of often by our friends at OLSS in St Marys. You helped to open our heats and our minds. I think you would be impressed by our new young priest, Father Jake. He is also opening our hearts and minds. Always so much to learn. May you be at peace with God the Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Love, Janice

James Dowling

October 12, 2008

Although I never knew Father Dowling personally, I can see that he was a very loved & respected person and a wonderful priest. I think I was distantly related to him as my father was Arthur J. Dowling Jr., son of Arthur J. Dowling Sr. - Both of Savannah. May Father Dowling rest in peace and know the joys of Heaven.

James C. Dowling

JANICE DAVIS

October 11, 2008

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MY FAMILY AND I WERE TOUCH BY FATHER BILLS KIND AND GENTILE WAYS. HE WAS OUR PRIEST AT OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA IN ST. MARYS, GA. HE WAS ALSO A VERY GOOD FRIEND. WE SHARED MANY SUNDAY LUNCHES TOGETHER. HE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER AND WE MISSED HIM SO MUCH AFTER HE MOVED AWAY. MY SON AND I DID HAVE LUNCH WITH HIM A FEW YEARS AGO WHILE WE WERE IN SAVANNAH. LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, WE ALSO FEEL LUCKY THAT HE TOUCHED OUR HEARTS AND OUR SOULS. WE DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT HIS PASSING UNTIL WE SAW THE PAPER TODAY. WE ARE SORRY THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE BEEN AT HIS SERVICE. MAYBE HE WILL WATCH OVER US FROM HEAVEN --WHEN HE IS NOT DANCING WITH HIS SISTER. GOD BLESS AND BE WITH YOU.

Billie DuBose

October 10, 2008

Father Bill began a dialogue that opened my mind to a more human understanding of my faith. I loved the discussions we had with him.
I love him and I miss him.

Rest in joyful peace.
Billie DuBose, St. Marys, Georgia

John Miller

October 10, 2008

I had the pleasure of knowing Father Bill for over 10 years at the Rose of Sharon. He was a dear special friend and comforter. He always gave me a feeling of peace and relaxation whenever I was in his presence. He cared about people, and always did what he could to help those in need. His positive attitudes about life were always inspiring. He will be missed by many. I will remember his many examples of good Christian living.

Tess Sopp

October 10, 2008

I am saddend to hear of Fr. Dowling's death. I last saw him and spoke with him a couple of years ago at the One in the Spirit celebration in Perry Georgia. Some friends and I had visited him at Rose of Sharon a couple of years before that and had enjoyed a lovely day in Savannah with him showing us all around his home town. Father had been pastor at my parish in St. Marys, Georgia, for 7 years. He convinced me of God's unconditional love for all; that I don't have to be good before God will love me, but rather, God loves us first so we can and want to be good; that whatever we ever do, good or bad, has an eternal impact, like the expanding rings from a pebble dropped into water... to mention a small sampling of faith and life wisdom he loved to teach and share. He was my friend.
Thank you Father Bill for your generosity and the many important insights you gave me. May you experience great joy in heaven!

Tess Sopp, Kingsland. Ga.

He was my friend. I will see you in heaven.
Tess Sopp

Jeanne Zittrauer

October 9, 2008

Dear Family,
I got to know and enjoy Father Dowling when he would come into our shop. He always had some wisdom to share. I know how concerned he always was about his fellow human beings no matter who they were. He embodied holiness.
I am grateful for having known him.

Kathy Wilkes

October 7, 2008

Father Dowling was my mother's brother. She loved him so much and he tried so hard to understand her. I hope they are dancing in heaven with Papa and Gram. Thank you God for making him part of her life and mine.

Mary and Bill Lavan

October 7, 2008

Dear family,
Your lost is also our lost. Thank-you for sharing Fr Bill with us. We loved hearing about his childhood in Savannah. He took us down memory lane many times. I loved hearing about his mom and dad- what a beautiful family you have. We love you all.

Fr Bill was the Historian, Mary the photographer

October 7, 2008

Fr Bill loved his Philosophy chats

October 7, 2008

Never missed a parade

October 7, 2008

Fr Bill was a proud WW ll Veteran

October 7, 2008

Fr Bill Dowling served in his retirement

October 7, 2008

Steve Corcoran

October 7, 2008

Father Bill Dowling was a woderful person and friend. He had a great mind and was the source of much wisdom, guidence and food for thought. He was a wonderful mentor, leader and friend. Father Dowling was loved and respected by all who had the joy of knowing him. The loss of a friend on Earth, while sad, is a day of rejoicing in Heaven. Thanks Father Dowling for touching our lives.

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