Beloved father and husband, 88 years of age, passed peacefully after several years of declining health at his son’s home in Silver Lake, Washington. Walt was born in Arlington, Oregon and lived there through graduating high school at which time he joined the Navy. He served eight years during World War II and the Korean War. He was a Quartermaster 1st Class and spent six years on LST 571 during World War II and two years as Acting Chief on the USS CV 21 Boxer during the Korean War.
After his military service, Walt joined Pacific Northwest Bell in 1947. He held various jobs including lineman, PBX installer, and PBX foreman. In 1969, he temporarily worked in New York and climbed out on a six foot catwalk atop the United Nations building to help setup communications for the ticker tape parade which welcomed back the first astronauts to land and walk on the moon. Walt worked 36 years for Pacific Northwest Bell before retiring in 1983. Walt was a member of PNB’s Southwest Community Relations Team, Milwaukie Elks, Optimists Club, American Legion and VFW.
He was a single Dad for several years and raised two small children from ages 2 and 6 until he married the love of his life Audrey Jean Hampton and gained a three year old son Scott six years later in 1965. He and Audrey loved to have parties, water ski, dance, play bridge and rummy, take vacations to Maui, and go on cruises. His favorite song was Ragtime Cowboy Joe. He outlived his parents Ben and Alma Bowman and his siblings George, Ida, Thelma, Alma, Earl and Ada.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years Audrey Jean Hampton Bowman, daughter Kim Bowman Stott and son-in-law Thomas Stott, son Jeffrey Bowman and daughter-in-law Kathy Bowman and son Scott DeLong, three grandchildren and their spouses Colleen Bowman Julian and Kevin Julian, Juston and Hayley Bowman, and Brent and Tory Bowman, and five great grandchildren Bailey Julian 13, Brandon Julian 11, Jayton Julian 11, William Bowman 6 and Jaxon Bowman 1. The family gives special thanks to family friend Rolando Lopez who cared for Walt over two years when he became in need of a full time caregiver.
The family is holding a private graveside ceremony at Lincoln Memorial Park.
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