William “Bill” Bowser, 86, of North Fort Myers, Fla., beloved father, husband, friend and sportsman, passed away on Aug. 10, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Sondra (nee Comstock), as well as five siblings. He is survived by a son, Will (Carole Tauer); daughter, Beth (Arjan) Helle, of Minnesota; sister, Patty Boggs; brother, Jim Bowser, of West Virginia; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Born in Crellin, Md., Bill spent his childhood in Booth, one of eight children. A 1954 graduate of Morgantown High School, he was Airman First Class (USAF) from 1954-1958. Spending most of his service overseas, he married Sondra in Morocco in 1957. They eventually settled in the Minneapolis area in 1960, where Bill was employed with SuperValu Stores for 36 years, until retiring in 1996. Active in the community, he was a member of Albert Pike Masonic Lodge and the Zuhrah Shrine in Minneapolis. Moving to Fort Myers, Fla. in 1997, he loved his “dream job” at Heritage Palms Golf Club and most recently, The Club at Renaissance.
Bill was a natural all-around athlete and an avid golfer. He first played golf while stationed in Scotland in 1957 and won his first tournament just a few months later. He received many awards and accolades as a golfer, baseball player and bowler. Fun-loving and competitive, he loved games of all sorts, especially cards and horse racing. We remember him for his amazing talents and accomplishments but mostly his generous heart, patient spirit and warm smile.
A private memorial service is to be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota. The family requests that remembrances be made in the form of a contribution to your favorite charity or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
