William Bowen

William (“Bill”) Norris Bowen passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the age of 93. A lifelong Henry Countian, he was born in Stockbridge, Georgia, on Feb. 24, 1932, to the late Norris Bowen and Clarice Elliott Bowen.

He graduated from McDonough High School in 1949 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard the following year. Most of his service time was spent in Beach Haven, New Jersey; he completed his Coast Guard years at the Ellis Island port security unit.

Not long after returning home, Bill met the love of his life: Nelle Stanton of McDonough. They dated the four years she was in college and married on June 8, 1957. Of the 68 years since, he would say with a nod and smile, “I think that worked out pretty well.”

Bill’s work for Southern Bell made him a familiar figure in McDonough and surrounding counties, whether he was climbing telephone poles on Lawrenceville Street, fixing home and business phones, or installing the original switchboards and phone lines for Piedmont Henry Hospital and Southlake Mall.

Bill, Nelle, and their daughters Carol and Leigh made countless memories camping together as a family and with large groups of friends. He pulled the camper for them from Walt Disney World to Pennsylvania, and spots all in between. He never missed a piano or dance recital. And although he wasn’t a big sports fan, he was always on the sidelines to watch Carol play basketball and Leigh perform with the drill team and majorettes.

As much as Bill loved the title Daddy, he loved being Gran to Jonathan and Callie just as much. He spoiled them, teased them, taught them, and was immensely proud of them.

Bill was a skilled carpenter and had a woodworking shop with the tools and ever-present scents of sawdust and stain to prove it. Saturdays often meant trips to Hammock Hardware or Planters Warehouse for supplies. He built dollhouses for Carol, Leigh, and Callie. He had booths at the Geranium Festival and other craft shows for years to sell hutches, coffee tables, and other furniture he had built. Later he focused on building toys: cars, trucks, and trains, and cradles, bunk beds, and other doll accessories. He loved gifting cradles and cars to children he knew.

When he wasn’t building things, Bill was probably either fishing or reading. He loved a day on the lake, whether it was Oconee, Sinclair, West Point, or the local reservoir. He always had one or two books on the table beside his recliner, and a stack of others in his closet waiting to be read.

Summers meant planting and tending a garden full of vegetables. Winters meant keeping a fire crackling on cold days and making Brunswick stew. Afternoons meant coffee breaks at 3 p.m., no matter the weather.

Bill was a faithful church member, going to Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches with family members while growing up. He was a longtime member of Timberridge Presbyterian and then McDonough Presbyterian. He enjoyed attending men’s breakfasts, going on day trips with the Go-Gos, and making friends with every child he encountered.

He is survived by his wife, Nelle Stanton Bowen; daughters Carol (Wayne) Fears and Leigh (Scott) DeLozier; grandson Jonathan (Kenna) DeLozier; granddaughter Callie DeLozier; and other extended family members.

A visitation will be held at Haisten Funerals & Cremations, 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4:00 pm to -6:00 p.m. A memorial service will place at the same venue on November 21, 2025, starting at 11:00 am., with inurnment following at Eastlawn Memorial Park.

Bill’s family is grateful for the compassionate, excellent care he received from the staffs of BeeHive Homes of Stockbridge, Sacred Journey Hospice, and Southern Grace Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Sacred Journey Hospice (138 Peach Drive, McDonough); Helping in His Name Ministries Food Pantry (85 Bellamy Place, Stockbridge); or the minister’s kindness fund at McDonough Presbyterian Church (427 McGarity Road, McDonough).