E.H. "Sandy" Bowden Jr.

On Tuesday, January 22, 2013, E.H. Bowden, Jr. (Sandy) went to be with his sweet Lord. Sandy was 87 years young. Mr. Bowden was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas. After graduating high school, Sandy joined the military and served in WWII from October 1943 through March 1946. He was a radio man on a B-29. Sandy served in Japan and the Western Pacific and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and Two Bronze Service Stars, the Air Medal and Distinguished Unit Award, and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

After returning from the war, Sandy graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and met his love of his life, Joyce Rose, at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. They married on September 3, 1949. Sandy was a salesman for Armco National Steel Corporation for 32 years, working in Abilene, Wichita Falls, and Odessa. After retiring from Armco in Odessa, Sandy and his family moved back to Clyde in 1987. Sandy and Joyce attended Abilene Primitive Baptist Church in Abilene.

A graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013, in Dewey Cemetery, Lawn, Texas, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory, Abilene, Texas. Viewing will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mr. Bowden is survived by his son, Terry Bowden and wife, Gloria, of Ranger, Texas; his daughter, Kim Justis and husband, Tim, of Granbury, Texas; his granddaughter, Jessica McLeroy and husband, Tyson, of Stephenville, Texas and Ashley Wilkins and husband, Eric, of Granbury, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Austin Callaway, Mackenzie Callaway, Brodie McLeroy, Olivia McLeroy, and Moses Wilkins.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 301 South Pioneer Drive, Suite 105, Abilene, Texas 79605.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com