William R. Bowen, age 93, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas and more recently of Spring Hill, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas. He was born July 20, 1926, in Carthage, Missouri, the son of Earnest R. Bowen and Corda V. Harrill Bowen. Bill served with the United States Navy during World War II.
Following his military service, he married Marjorie F. Sparks August 3, 1946, at Columbus, Kansas. Bill and Marjorie later made their home in Ft. Scott where Bill worked as a conductor for the Frisco Railroad for many years. Bill was a devoted husband to his wife, Marjorie and a faithful father to his three children. Bill enjoyed spending quality time with his family and had the famous “never met a stranger” mentality. Bill was an accomplished musician who played a variety of instruments including guitar, saxophone, accordion, steel guitar, piano and harmonica.
He had his own country western band for several years. Bill also enjoyed woodworking and painting landscapes and wildlife. He often shared his creations with his family and friends. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene as well as the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Consistory and the Mirza Shrine. Survivors include his three children, Linda McClanahan, of Paola, Kansas, Billy Bowen and wife, Barbara, of Willard, Missouri and Jim Bowen and wife, Pam, of Alma, Nebraska; eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. His wife, Marjorie, preceded him in death on August 2, 2019. He was also preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and his son-in-law, Tom McClanahan.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
