SMYRNA - William E. ("Bill") Bowser, age 85, died at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, on Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, surrounded by his family. He was born March 31, 1926, in Worthington, Penn., to the late Stanley and Sarah Booher Bowser. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1943. In WW II, Bill served as a Hospital Corpsman on the U.S.S. Haven in San Diego, Calif. While back home on a leave, he saw the love of his life for the first time, the former Martha Zeigler of Adrian, Penn., walking down the street. That night, he told his mother that he just seen the woman he was going to marry. True to his word, he and Martha were married in Cumberland, Md. on June 15, 1946, just one week after his discharge from the Navy. The marriage lasted 65 years. Bill obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from Penn State University. He maintained a love of Penn State, particularly its football team, his entire life. Well into his seventies, he obtained his Ph. D. Bill taught physical and health education in the Mount Pleasant School District for 27 years, after teaching chemistry in Endeavor, Penn. For many summers, he was the director of the Brandywine YMCA day camp. Following his retirement from teaching, Bill worked in human resources for Easco Hand Tools in Springfield, Mass. and Springdale, Ark. Bill and Martha operated Bil-Mar Trailer Sales for many years, an extension of their love of the outdoors and RV'ing. Bill was also an avid hunter. Bill attended Kenton United Methodist Church. He was a 32nd degree freemason and a member of the American Legion Post No. 14. Bill is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughter, Deborah Bussard and her husband Rodney; his son, William and his wife Maureen; his son, Alan and his wife Lisa; four grandchildren, Christy (Bee) Clendenin and Michael, Kelly, and Lauren Bowser; and three great-grandsons, Zachary, Colby, and Jonathan Clendenin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, David; his brother, Millard; and his three sisters, Gladys Mae, Maude, and Mabel. Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 S. Main St., Smyrna. Relatives and friends are welcome at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kenton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 188, Kenton, DE 19955 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriot's Way, Milford, DE 19963. The family would like to thank the staffs of the Delaware Veterans Home and Delaware Hospice Center for their help and support. Condolence letters may be sent by visiting
www.fariesfuneralhome.com.
