William Lee Bowser

NEWPORT NEWS - William Lee Bowser of Woodland, N.C. departed this life on Aug. 27, 2005, in the home of Bishop Samuel and Retha Redden. He was the third child born to the late Henderson and Retha Bowser on Nov. 8, 1952, in Northampton County, N.C. He grew up in Woodland, N.C. and joined Jerusalem Baptist Church where he attended Sunday School. Locally, he attended Highway Christian Church in Newport News. He was a graduate of W. S. Creecy School in Rich Square, N.C. He later attended Roanoke Chowan College and Kee Business College. He later joined the U. S. Army and served two years in Germany. While there he ranked E4, received two service medals and an honorable discharge. Upon completion of his military career, he was employed by the Newport News Shipyard for two years. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Earl Bowser and step-sister, Lillian Redden. He leaves to cherish his greatest memories, his mother, Retha L. Redden and Bishop Samuel Redden of Newport News; five sisters, Barbara B. Eason of Rich Square, Mary B. Stanley of Garysburg, N.C., Rachel B. Nesmith of Woodland, Debbie B. Paxton of Humble, Texas and Katina B. Whitaker of Newport News; three brothers, Osen Felton Bowser of Woodland, Ronald Bowser and Stacy Tyrone Bowser of Newport News; grandfather, Leander Jefferson, 104-years-old, of Rich Square; five step-brothers and four step- sisters. A homegoing service will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, at Spiritual Aid Way of the Cross Church, 2400 Shell Road, Hampton. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be to 8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are by O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.