William Clifton "Dub" Bowie

William Clifton “Dub” Bowie died Friday, February 21, 2014, at Methodist Hospital. Mr. Bowie was born in Abbeville County, South Carolina to Walter and Jessie Bowie on April 13, 1925. He moved to Louisiana after World War II and discovered his love of golf. He was a successful amateur golfer before turning professional in 1956. Mr. Bowie was a lifetime member of the Professional Golf Association with 58 years of service. He was a gifted teacher who introduced the love of the game to many adult and junior golfers. Mr. Bowie served as club professional/ Greens superintendent at Deridder Golf Club in Deridder, Louisiana, and the founding professional at Belleview Country Club in Franklin, Louisiana, Bayou Country Club in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and Hickory Hill Country Club in Gautier, Mississippi. He last served as a club professional at Natchez Trace Golf Club, in Tupelo, Mississippi. “Dub” Bowie came to Memphis in 1966 as Director of Golf for the Memphis Park Commission where he remained until 1978. During his tenure, the public courses experienced growth and popularity. In 1969 he resurrected the Memphis Publinx Tournament providing an opportunity for all Memphians to participate regardless of race. Mr. Bowie served as organizer and Tournament Director for the Overton Open, a Junior event for kids as young as six years of age. After his retirement from golf in 1985, he served as starter of the True Temper Classic and began a new career in optometry sales with Muller Optical in Jackson, TN. He was a member and past president of the Louisiana Professional Golfers Association and the Tennessee Turf Grass Association. Mr. Bowie served in the Navy in World War II aboard the destroyer, Renshaw. He was a member of the Louisiana National Guard from 1945 to 1956. He loved his country and proudly displayed the American flag on a flagpole on his front walk. Mr. Bowie is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nell Hicks Bowie, his sister, Jeanette Bowie, his brother, Walter James Bowie (Evie), of Shreveport, LA, his daughter, Gwendolyn Collier (Edward), of Germantown, son, William Clifton Bowie Junior (Marty) of Jackson, TN, daughter, Rebecca Rivalto (Michael), and son, Craig Bowie of Memphis. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Ward Collier (Katie), Jeff Collier (Emily), Emily Bowie, Ashlee Rivalto (Kevin Frey), Dallas Manley, Dustin Crutcher and his four great- grandchildren, Mary Caroline Collier, Madeline Collier, Jane Collier, and Caroline Collier. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ruby Bowie Bozarth and Francis Bowie Williams. Visitation will be Monday, February 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar with a graveside service at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Forest Hill Irene, Tuesday, February 25 at 11 a.m. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice. www.memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeal Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100