Bill Lowe

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Betty; his daughter Linda Silva of Fresno CA and son, Michael Lowe of Central TX, four grandchildren Robyn Williams of Fresno CA, Lacey Leyendecker of Bakersfield CA Brooke and Brandon Lowe, and 3 great grandchildren; along with many friends.

Bill was born in Wellington TX in 1930 to Joe and Ruby Lowe. He grew up a big strong young man, playing football and getting into mischief with his younger brother Ray. The family moved to central California when the boys were in their teens, one day Bill was walking down the street and saw Betty Gardner. And just like in an old movie he told his friends there goes the girl I'm going to marry, two weeks later they were married. Bill tried his hand at a lot of jobs in those early years calling himself a jack of all trades, master of nothing. Then he bought a Richfield Service Station where you would often find him taking on the latest contender at arm wrestling at which he was undefeated. In 1978, ARCO asked Bill to test the first of its AmPm convenience stores in Bakersfield

CA, as with everything he did the AMPM was a huge success. Having service stations was perfect for Bill who loved building cars and racing which is how he became friends with Roger and Rick Mears at the start of their racing careers. In the mid 70's Bill bought some businesses in Bishop CA but after several years he decided to go back to Texas, where he and Betty lived until coming back to California in 2009.

Throughout his life Bill was fearless; he worked hard and played hard. We will miss that grin.

A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens, Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.