William Loyd Bowling

William Lloyd Bowling, 100, of Huntsville; passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Countryside Assisted Living, Huntsville. He was born Sunday, May 3, 1925, at Pettigrew; to Shelby and Josephine Hamilton Bowling. William married Joy Dean Williams on Saturday, August 10, 1946, in Fayetteville, Arkansas for 78 years. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Sherry. A faithful member of the New Home Church of Christ, William lived his life with devotion to God, his family, and his community. He worked hard as a cattle farmer and raised chickens for Tyson, building 5 chicken houses for himself and others as well as drilling wells for many years. He was also a proud WWII veteran who deeply loved his country. He was honored with 2 Purple Hearts and 1 Bronze star as well as 4 medals for beach heads in the pacific theater. During WWII he was a sharp shooter who went in before the main brigrade to survey the landing for the troops, During his landing at Lady Island in the Philippines he met and shook hands with General Douglas Mc Arthur. Meeting General Mc Arthur was always a favorite story from the war. In his spare time he enjoyed fox hunting, raising beautiful flowers and the simple joys of farm life. William had a kind and caring heart-he never met a stranger and was always a good neighbor to all. Some of his happiest times were family gatherings, when everyone could be together, sharing card games, stories and laughter. More than anything, William dearly loved his family and held them close in prayer every day. William was preceded in death by his wife, Joy Dean; his parents, Shelby and Josephine; one brother, Donald Bowling; and two sisters, Maxine Gibson and Alice Denzer. He is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Sherry Duling of Pettigrew and Linda and James Baker of Villa Ridge, Missouri; three grandchildren, Douglas Duling of Fayetteville, David and Kari Baker of Kirkwood, Missouri, and Cynthia and Russell Rowbottom of Catawissa, Missouri; and one sister, Petty Sue Shepherd Gibson of Hindsville. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren, Eli, Kimberlyn, Hannah, Jennifer, Ryan, Brandon, Alyssa, Calista, Christian, Sebastian, Gabrielle, and Josie; and four great-great-grandchildren, Jacy, Joy, Jasper, and Kala. The family will receive friends 8:00 AM-9:00 AM, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Brashears Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Dutton Cemetery with Chance Bryant officiating. Pallbearers will be Dakota Evans, Eli Jackson, Todd Jackson, Ryan Bradshaw, Brandon Rowbottom, Doug Duling, David Baker, and Russ Rowbottom. Interment will immediately follow services at Dutton Cemetery, Pettigrew, AR. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.