Dr. William Joseph McGowan

Dr. William Joseph McGowan, 68, passed away on December 27, 2023.
Bill McGowan was born on January 26, 1955, to Catherine and John McGowan in Dayton, Ohio. He was the youngest of four boys. His family lived in Charleston, West Virginia until moving to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1969.
Bill attended Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys, graduating with high honors in 1973. He made lifelong friends at Catholic High, recently attending his 50-year class reunion. His academic journey continued at New College in Sarasota, Florida for his first two years of college. He returned to Little Rock to care for his mother and attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. At the urging of his mother, he took the MCAT, and was accepted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences without completing an undergraduate degree.
In 1982, Bill married Kelly Carithers. Following his graduation from medical school in 1985, they moved to Fayetteville for his family practice residency. During this time, Bill and Kelly were blessed with two sons, Patrick and John. They enjoyed an active and joyous family life throughout their forty-one years of a wonderful marriage, and thoroughly loved being grandparents.
After completing his residency, Bill began a 35-year career as a family practice physician in Springdale. For the last 21 years of practice, he was affiliated with MANA Family Medicine, Springdale. The last three years of his career were especially rewarding as he worked alongside his son Patrick until his retirement in 2022. Board-certified with the American Academy of Family Practice, Bill epitomized the term "family doctor," touching countless lives and making a lasting impact on his community. Bill had friends too numerous to count.
A devoted member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Bill was actively involved in all aspects of parish life. He was devout in his faith and took particular pride in befriending and caring for each parish priest.
Bill found the most joy in his family, being close to his three older brothers, his sons Patrick and John, and especially his four grandsons and great-nephew, who affectionately referred to him as "Doc."
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine and John McGowan, and his father-in-law, Patrick Carithers. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Carithers; son Patrick McGowan and wife Camryn, grandsons William and Luke; son John McGowan and wife Morgan, grandsons Grayson and Merrick; brother John McGowan and wife Beverly, of Harrisonburg, VA; brother Michael McGowan of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; brother Tom McGowan of Little Rock; mother-in-law, Bettye Carithers; brother-in-law, Lindsey Carithers; four nieces, and three nephews.
A memorial visitation will be held on January 2, 2024, from 4pm to 6pm at Sisco Funeral Home in Springdale. On January 3, 2024, a rosary will be said at 9:15 am, followed by a funeral mass at 10am, at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Memorials may be made to St. Raphael Catholic Church or the Audubon Society, both of which held special meaning for Dr. William J. McGowan.
Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com