Notes for William R. Gowen, Sr.: Born in Tullahoma TN Moved to California after the Death of his 1st wife from Cancer.
Uncle Bill hugs would knock the wind out of you!!!
He was a good man with a funny little chuckle....''
OBITUARY
TULLAHOMA NEWS - JANUARY 8, 2003
GOWEN, WILLIAM ROBERT (BILL) SR., 78, Of Cupertino, Calif., died Wednesday, Jan 1, 2003. A native of Tullahoma, he was the son of the late Marvin Taylor Gowen and Pearl Lillian Anderson of Tullahoma. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Nell, and his children and their spouses, Harold and Gwen Britton of Littleton, CO; Bob and Dian Gowen of Olympia, WA; Vern and Teri Armstrong of Henderson, NV, and Thom and Diane Patten of Ripon, CA. Other survivors include a brother, Guy Milton Gowen of Rossville, GA; grandchildren, Erik and Sylvia Patten of Lodi, CA; William Britton; Elise Gowen and Luke Britton; great-grandchildren, Samantha and Jackson Patten and "adopted" daughter Genet Tefera. Bill truly lived up to the meaning of his name "resolute protector". He was a gentleman who faced many of life's trials, including his 22-month battle with cancer, with faith, graciousness and tenacity. He was born on March 5, 1924 in Tullahoma. After graduating from Tulahoma High School in 1942, he served as a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class in the Navy during World War II. Following his service in the military, Bill attended Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN., where he met and married his first wife Millie Nell Saulsbury. He graduated cum laude with a BS degree in commerce. Later he obtained an MBA degree from Indiana University. While living in Indiana, three children were born to him and his wife, Gwen, William Robert, Jr., (Bob) and Teri. He was an administrative office manager for nine years with ARO, Inc., at AEDC. It was during this time that Millie Died in 1964 after a brief but difficult bout with breast cancer. The following year, Bill accepted a job transfer to Ames Research Center at Moffett Field and moved to Mountain View, CA with his children. In 1969, he married former Tullahoman Mary Nell Ragain, who was also widowed, and gained a Daughter, Diane. He was an administrative manager for Sverdrup for 27 years at the Ames Division and then for three years an assistant administrative manager at Calspan prior to his retirement in 1986. Bill and Mary Nell traveled and enjoyed their retirement years together in their Cupertino home. Bill was a deacon for 50 years in various Baptist Churches. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Foothill Baptist Church in Los Altos, CA where he served 26 years as church treasurer and also taught the Adult Sunday School class. He lad a Sunday worship service for the residents at Sunnyvale Convalescent Home once a month, accompanied by his daughter, Diane at the piano, for 26 years. Bill's favorite songs of faith were Face-to-Face and Victory in Jesus. When asked about his favorite scriptures, Bill wrote, "During the last days of my first wife, Millie, who died at age 40, I memorized this scripture and shared it with my children: (Thessalonians 4:13 - 18). Others verses I like are Proverbs 3:5 - 6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Bill enjoyed completing the daily crossword puzzles, serving as church treasurer, studying the Bible, serving his church and spending time with his family and dear friends who will miss him and treasure the life they shared with him.
More About William R. Gowen, Sr.: Social Security Number: 409-24-3636.
Children of William R. Gowen, Sr. and Millie Saulsbury are:
William R. Gowen, Sr. (b. 05 Mar 1924, d. 01 Jan 2003)
Notes for William R. Gowen, Sr.: