William “Bill” George Bowman Jr.

William “Bill” George Bowman, Jr., 67, passed away July 18, 2012. He was born in Sharon, PA on March 4, 1945 to William George Bowman, Sr. and Nellie Marie Maloy Bowman.

His early education included a one-room schoolhouse, later graduating from Reynolds High School in Greenville, PA, after which he began his military service.

Bill joined the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Kemper County (LST-854). He served as River Boat Captain in the Vietnam War’s “River Rats” receiving the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for the United States Naval Support Activity, DaNang. He was Ships Serviceman aboard the USS Taconic. Upon honorable discharge from active duty he served in the US Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Merchant Marines.

Bill was blessed in marriage to his wife Diane Ruth Aubel on October 17th, 1970 in Fredonia, PA. He cherished their three children and four grandchildren.

As a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, he enjoyed participating in church choirs. He was also a member of the Fredonia Lions Club, supporting his local community.

He was a machinist and millwright at Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, Greenville, PA. He received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Engineering Technology from A.T.E.S Institute and later was formally employed at General Electric (GE) in Grove City as an Assembly Line Coordinator and GE in Erie, PA as a Domestic Locomotive Field Service Engineer and International Field Service Engineer. Eventually moving to North Carolina, he established Bowman & Sons Construction.

Retirement years provided time for favorite hobbies such as flea marketing, gemology, reading and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Britt William Bowman of Youngstown, OH, Dori Rae Kitch of Morrisville, NC, Matthew Cole Bowman and his wife Heidi of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jacob and Mackenzie Kitch and Derrik and Abygail Bowman; father, William G. Bowman Sr. of Mercer, PA; siblings, Bonnie Cameron of Gainesville, FL, Dennis Bowman of Greenville, PA, Tod Bowman of Mercer, PA and mother-in-law, Eunice Aubel of Cary, NC.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Nellie Marie Maloy Bowman; sister, Linda Beveridge; brother, Donnie Bowman; and father-in-law, Lloyd Aubel.

A memorial service will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Resurrection United Methodist Church, 4705 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707. The family will receive friends after the service.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made online to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at www.dav.org/donate/MemorialHonoraryGifts.aspx.

Condolences may be sent through www.brownwynnecary.com.