William Marshall Dowell

William was born on December 23, 1924 in Senatobia, Mississippi, to parents Marshall and Lillie Belle Dowell, and was the elder of two sons. William served in the United States Marine Corp as an Assistant First Class Marine Cook during World War II. He joined the Marines in North Carolina in 1943, and was later stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA until he was discharged in 1946.

William was a family man and a loving father. He met Lutha Mae Williams while on leave in Santa Barbara and the two were married on December 26, 1945. Lutha Mae brought to the union two sons and the couple together had six daughters, including one who died in infancy. Lutha Mae passed away on December 13, 1966. In 1970 William met and married Emma Nelson. They were married from July 23, 1970 until her passing on April 4, 1999.

William had a strong work ethic, and worked hard to provide for his family. In Bakersfield he worked in construction on many projects, including building a church. After moving to Los Angeles he worked for more than 20 years at UCLA in Facilities Maintenance. He also ran his own landscaping business.

William had a firm belief in God and immersed himself in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support and passion. Throughout his life William was a devoted member of many congregations including Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Friendly Friendship Baptist Church, New Jerusalem Missionary Church, and was a Deacon at Christian Light Baptist Church for more than 25 years.

William will be remembered as a kind man with a gentle spirit who devoted his life to serving and loving the Lord. He was a singer of hymns and a man of faith and prayer. He was a man after God's own heart. He loved being around people and lending a helping hand. It has been said that he never met a stranger as he was kind and friendly to everyone he met. When asked what legacy he would like to leave his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his response was "Be lovely and kind to everyone. And, if everyone knew Jesus, what a wonderful world this would be." William touched so many lives with his compassionate spirit and will be greatly missed.

William leaves to celebrate his home-going, his children Arthur (Honey) Runnels, William (Sonny) & Belia Ellis, Brenda Yvonne Dowell, Marsha Gayle & WJ Mitchell, Reverend Sheryl Mann and Georgina Lizabeth Dowell, a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, who adored him deeply, and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will all miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Elliot Dowell, his first wife of 21 years, Lutha Mae Dowell, his second wife of 29 years, Emma Dowell, his daughters Lutha Mary and Lilly Benita Dowell, and his son-in-law George Mann.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 11:00AM at Miller-Jones Mortuary, 1835 N. Perris Blvd. Perris, CA. Followed by a committal service at 1:45PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at Miller-Jones Mortuary, 1835 N. Perris Blvd. Perris, CA.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.miller-jones.com