Delbert Bowers

Mr. Bowers was born on November 20, 1929 in Barada, Nebraska to Delbert L. and Daisy Kirkendall Bowers he was the oldest child of their marriage.

He grew up and was educated in Nebraska and was a Graduate of the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

He entered the U S Army, where he served for 27 years, until his retirement in 1974 at the rank of CW4. After retirement he had a second career as a funeral director. He and his business partner William “Bill” Crawford began Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen in 1972 and Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove in 1988. Through the years Mr. Bowers touched many people’s lives in both communities. They sold the business in 1989 to Service Corporation International and Mr. Bowers remained active as a consultant until the time of his passing. He always felt it was an honor to be able to serve the people in a time of their life when they needed it most.

Besides being a successful business leader he was also very dedicated to many civic organizations. He was a Life Member of VFW Post 3892 in Harker Heights, a Life Member of DAV Post 147 in Killeen, a Life Member of American Legion Post 223 in Killeen, a Member of the Elks Lodge of Falls City, Nebraska since 1950, the Killeen Evening Lions Club, the Killeen Chamber of Commerce, the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Bowers was a long time active member of Skyline Baptist Church in Killeen.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, working out at his place in Triple 7, playing golf and working at the funeral home.

Mr. Bowers was preceded in death by his parents.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 66 years, Jean Bowers of Harker Heights; a son, Brent Bowers of Nashville, TN; a daughter, Debra Hand and her husband Dr. Lee Hand of El Paso; a brother, Delmar Bowers and his wife Shirley of Mt. Home, Arkansas; a sister, Delores Stanfild of Falls City, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Shelly Bowers, Ryan Harper, Whitney Harper, Nathan Bowers and eight great grandchildren.

The family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove and again from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Skyline Baptist Church in Killeen. Interments services will follow with full military honors in the Killeen City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the United States Army. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Skyline Baptist Church in Killeen and the staff from Crawford-Bowers Funeral Homes in Killeen, Copperas Cove and Temple.

For those that desire memorial contributions may be made to Skyline Baptist Church, 906 Trimmier Road, Killeen, Texas, 76541 or to Friends of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (for the Wreaths), 100 W CTE, Suite 302, Harker Heights, Texas 76548 or online at www.wreathforvets.org.

Funeral Services are entrusted Crawford-Bowers Funeral Homes.