Willis (Bill) Bowman

Willis (Bill) Earseman Bowman, Hot Springs, Arkansas, April 6th, 1918 to May 16, 2013, (95 years young). Bill was born into a family of 8 children of whom he was the last surviving member of his family. His father was an engineer owning his own business and his mother a retired school teacher. His family was warm, loving, fun, and nurturing Bill owned his own gasoline station from the age of 15 through 17 prior to college. He attended Missouri State School of Mines, Rollo, Mo., obtaining his BS degree in 3 1/2 years after starting college one semester late and having no prerequisite pre-college mathmatic preparation. He served as first lieutenant in the then United States Army Air Force which changed to the United States Air Force during WWII. He flew missions from England over Germany having wonderful story's of his experiences during and after the war. He and his group flew mapping missions over Tripoli and North Africa after WWII until he returned to the US. He was honorably discharged receiving a hand signed commendation from President Harry S. Truman. From these experiences he developed his love of flying owning seven of his own planes, reconstructing and flying them over the United States, Mexico and Canada. Bill worked for and retired from General Electric Company as an engineer managing a District for 30 years. Among his many philanthropic activities were there recent awards he received from various religious and humanitarian organizations. He most recently received awards from Missouri University of Science and Technology for the support of the Century Club and the Jane B. Mendel Tikkum Olam Award from the Jewish Federation of Arkansas In support of the newest Jewish congregation in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was a Christian talking to and serving his lord. He also was among the rare non-Jewish men to carry a 300 year old orthodox Torah Scroll into the local Jewish congregation for its inaugural visit. His generosity of spirit and financial support will long be remembered to men and women from all walks of life. He leaves behind to love and remembrance, his wife, Winifred Bartok Bowman, Daughter, Barbara Ann Meidinger (Richard), son, John D Bowman (Akemi), daughter, Deborah Lynn Bowman (Steve Burden), Granddaughters, Leslie Curley, (Jeffery) and Julie Trelstad, husband, (Graham) and grandsons, Michael Bowman and Willis Bowman and great-granddaughters, Eleanor and Elizabeth Trelstad. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Don Ceylon Bowman, mother, Mary Earseman Bowman, brothers: Don Ceylon Bowman, Andrew Roberts Bowman, James Ramsey Bowman, and John Alexander Bowman; sisters: Marjory Walker, Sarah Feldhaus, and Mary Ann Tomaso. Former wives, Eleanor Conrad Bowman, Mary Lee Bowman, and Barbara Bowman. A celebration of remembrance and love will be held at Country Club Village, 1925 Malvern Ave., Hot Springs, Ark., on Sunday May 19 in the Stardust Room, 1 to 2 p.m., Rabbi Jerome Fox officiating. Please call 624-6435 for directions.