Obituary of William Arthur Bowyer

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” William Arthur Bowyer, 80 of Bedford, left his earthly home and peacefully entered the Kingdom of Heaven after an extended illness on Monday, August 23, 2021. He was born on Saturday, October 12, 1940 in Bedford County, a son of the late Charles Roy Bowyer, Sr. and Thelma Margaret Payne Bowyer. He was also preceded in death by his son, Gregory Todd Bowyer, his brother, Charles "Buggs" Bowyer, Jr., his sister, Janet Bowyer Wood and a special uncle, Gene Payne. William retired as Area Manager from Frank Chervan with 47 years of dedicated service and was a member and former deacon of Mount Olivet Southern Baptist Church. He was also a lifetime member and former Governor of Bedford Moose Lodge #1897, a member of Bedford Elks Lodge #321, Woodmen of the World, and a charter member of The Ponderosa Club. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lula Mae Dickenson Bowyer; his daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Bowyer; his daughter-in-law, Dawn Clinebell Bowyer; his grandsons, Todd (Jennifer) and Luke Bowyer; his great-granddaughters, Hayden and Ellie Bowyer; sister-in-law, Faye McKinney Bowyer; nephews, Matthew Bowyer, Mike Wood; niece, Angie Gordon (Jeff) and aunt Susan Payne of Greenville, SC, as well as other nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, and cousins. Throughout his life, William had a host of friends from all walks of life. During his illness, he had support from not only family, but his church family, the Bunker Hill community and especially from close family friend and caregiver, Steve Orange, Steve’s wife Sharon and son, Austin, Mike & Freda Easterly, Karen Craig, and Ron & Sara Staton. In addition to his family and friends, his “little buddy” and four-legged companion, Una will miss him greatly. Anyone who knew William knew how much he loved to fish and he was an avid fisherman since his early childhood. He also enjoyed many years of playing softball and bowling. He loved to tell stories (lots of fish tales), read his daily newspapers and kept up with the local and world news and always knew the weather forecast. He could quote accounts from news stories that he read, and it was amazing the details that he could remember, even from years past. A very special thank you to the 7 South CCU Cardiac staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care in the last days of William’s time here with his family and friends. We will be forever grateful for their kindness and outstanding care for William. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 AM on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Mount Olivet Southern Baptist Church, 2933 Mt. Olivet Rd. (off of Joppa Mill Road), and a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor J. R. Graybill and Rev. Wayne Murphy officiating. Due to increased COVID concerns at this time, we respectfully request that masks be worn during visitation and at the service. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or Mount Olivet Southern Baptist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.