W.D. Donald Dowell

W. D. Donald Dowell, 89 of Stephenville, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Funeral services for Donald will be at 2:00 PM Monday, December 29, 2025, at Stephenville Funeral Home with Mike Fritscher officiating. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery in Stephenville. Visitation with the Dowell family will begin at 1:00 PM, Monday, one hour prior to services.

Donald was born in Somervell County, TX on March 9, 1936, to the late Basil Walter and Ora Bell Greer Dowell as the 7th of 11 children. He grew up in Chalk Mountain with his ten brothers and sisters. He was raised by his parents with great assistance from his older sisters Dorothy and Eddie B and after getting married at an early age, his father-in-law, Marvin Tolar was a tremendous influence on his life. Donald began water drilling in 1963 and spent his life as owner of Dowell Well Service, which he was more than proud to pass on to his son Mark and grandson Justin. He loved cattle ranching, dairying, real estate, racing, concrete work, and listening to old country music. Most of all, Donald loved spending time with his family.

Donald is survived by his former wives, Joyce Tolar Burnett and Donna Bruns Dowell; his children, Mark Dowell and Wendy and husband Brent Moser; grandchildren, Brandon and wife Cathy McKinney, Justin and wife Dylan Dowell, Jennifer Fain, Brittney Moser and Lacey Moser; great grandchildren, Clark Vargas, Lena Vargas, and Landry Dowell; brother, Jarrell and wife Bell Dowell; sister, Glenda Gillespie; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Donald was also preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Joy Dowell, and five brothers, and three sisters.