William Rees Bowen

William R`ees Bowen (March 6, 1935 - March 17, 2025), SSGT, USAF (Ret.), passed away at age 90. Born in Bremerton, WA, to Lewellen and Catherine (Rudloff) Bowen, William was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a proud descendant of Betsy Ross. He was married to the love of his life, Ruth J. (Brown) Bowen, for 52 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; his sister, Catherine F. Clarke; and his son, Donald R. Bowen, and two infant grandchildren – Joshua Bowen and Cassidy Bowen. William is survived by his children: William L. Bowen, Timothy J. (Stephanie) Bowen, Randy L. Bowen, Deborah J. Bowen, and Sondra J. (Dav, dec.) Treasure. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amy Bowen, Tim (Ashley) Bowen, Heather (Dan) Carpenter, Matthew (Becca) Bowen, Kathleena Harmon, Jessica Bowen, Rebecca (Ian) Fairall, Hayley Logan, Elizabeth McLean, Marshall Bowen, Sarah Manes, Jacob Bowen, Katie Bowen, and numerous great-grandchildren.

William joined the U.S. Navy in 1958, serving four years, before transitioning to the U.S. Air Force, where he retired in 1974 as a Staff Sergeant. He served as a small arms instructor, training Vietnam War servicemen, and during his career was stationed at Travis AFB, CA; Misawa AB, Japan; Lackland AFB, TX; and McChord AFB, WA. After the military, the Bowen family lived in many places, including Washington, California, Iowa, Arizona, and Colorado, before finally settling in Oregon.

William served the Salem-Keizer School District, and later was Athletics Equipment Manager at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. In retirement, he remained active in civic and political matters, enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, and was a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan. He cherished taking his grandchildren on adventures and had a passion for American history, militaria, and road trips. At age 84, he moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., where he lived vibrantly until his passing.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM at City View Funeral Home, 390 Hoyt Ave, Salem, OR, followed by internment at Belcrest Cemetery, 1295 Browning Ave S, Salem, OR at 12:00 PM. A potluck social will follow at the Broadway Commons, 1300 Broadway St, Salem, OR at 3:00 PM in room 303 – the Africa room. Family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donating to a local hospice or the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C.