William T. Gower

GOWER
WILLIAM T GOWER (Age 81)

Of Frederick, MD, died Thursday, March 22, 2007 at Washington Hospital Center. He was the late husband of Frances Hodge Gower.

Born January 28, 1926, in Philadelphia PA, he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Edna Hall Gower.In 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy, completing his boot training at Sampson Naval Training Center in Romulus, NY. His first assignment was a LST ship, USS 524, which was part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy during the European Campaign and Okinawa invasion during the Pacific Campaign, during WWII. He continued serving in the Navy, as an electrician, on various ships and shore duties. His proudest assignment was aboard CVA 60--the USS Saratoga, from 1956-1958, serving as part of the pre-commissioning crew and commissioning crew. Mr. Gower retired in 1966 as a Chief Petty Officer.

In 1966, he was employed by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as an electrician. In 1992, he retired after 26 years of service. Mr. Gower was a member of the Scottish Rite of Frederick and the Masonic Lodge in New Market and Germantown--#194. Mr. Gower was also an avid fisherman and a member of the Frederick Chapter of MSSA. He was also a member of the USS Saratoga Association.He is survived by his daughter, Frances Adele Gower of Laurel, and his nephew Stephen Edward Cherry of Huntingtown, MD. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Hall Gower and Bert Elizabeth Cherry.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be sent to Special Olympics of MD, 513 Progress Drive, Suite P, Linthicum, MD 21090 or The Arthritis Foundation of MD, 9505 Reisterstown Road, Suite 1 North, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Friends may call on Saturday, March 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at STAUFFER FUNERAL HOME, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD. A service will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at:

www.staufferfuneralhome.com