William R. Sowers

CWO4 WILLIAM R. SOWERS, age 84, formerly of Wellston, OH. passed away on October 13, 2025 in Norfolk VA. He is predeceased by his mother, Norma Boyd, his brother, Terry Sowers, and his step-father Clarence Sowers.
Bill graduated from Wellston High School where he played football for his alma mater.
In 1959, he joined the Navy where he served 27 years in the Navy including the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43, USS Intrepid, CVS-11, USS Constellation, CV-64, USS Oriskany, CV-34, USS Saratoga, CV-60, and USS John F. Kennedy, CV-67. Duty Stations Included the US Naval Engineering Center in Philadelphia, PA., NATTC, Lakehurst, NJ., VT-4, Pensacola, FL, NAVAVSCOLCOM, Pensacola, FL, SIMA, Portsmouth, VA.
Bill enjoyed his jobs in the Navy, especially the ones working on the flight decks of the carriers as the Catapult Officer. Bill had many titles while in the Navy i.e. Bosn, Chief, Wild Bill and Billy. When he became a Catapult Officer on the USS Oriskany, he was a Chief. Due to circumstances that happened on the ship, he was approached by the Captain and Admiral to take over as the Catapult Officer. His first response to this was, Yes, Sir, I will launch the next set of planes. It was a rarity for an enlisted person to launch planes. They selected him because he taught the Catapult School in Lakehurst, NJ.
After retirement from the Navy, at the ago of 60, he was called by the State Department to go to Brazil to help the Brazilian Navy learn how to launch airplanes from their recently purchased Aircraft Carrier. He spent several months in Brazil and accomplished this feat.
After retirement from the Navy, he worked as a NACE inspector on ships, bridges, tanks and roads until December 2020. He served as the Commander of VFW Post 392 and also served as the Grand Knight Of the Knights of Columbus in Virginia Beach. He enjoyed traveling and especially to other countries.
He is survived by his wife, Sue, of 58 years, three children William Sowers II, Michael Sowers (Carmen) and Michelle Sowers Tanner, (Jesse). Grandchildren include Casey Sowers Zipp, (Andy), Jacob Sowers, Megan Sowers, Ethan Tanner, Nathan Tanner, Matthew Tanner and seven great-grandchildren, Lucy and Lainey Zipp, Aviah Shepherd, Westin Dodd, Nicholas Ortegon, Liam Ortegon and Saul Ortegon. There are many cousins, nieces and nephews also. He will be missed by all.
A funeral mass will be held at Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Tuesday October 28, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Burial has been arranged for Tuesday November 18 at 2:00 pm at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran's Cemetery with military honors.