William Bowden Obituary

Durango resident William Franklin Bowden Jr. died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at Four Corners Health Care Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. He was 89.

Mr. Bowden was born to Callie and William Bowden Sr. in McBride, Okla., on Nov. 20, 1919. His family moved to La Plata County in 1928, and Mr. Bowden grew up on the family ranch in Oxford. He attended Oxford School through eighth grade.

On Aug. 18, 1947, he married Elizabeth Prose in Aztec.

Mr. Bowden worked for the Durango Bakery and Coca-Cola before going to work at Boker Lumber. He retired from Boker in 2001 after 32 years.

"Bill found comfort in reading the Bible," his family wrote, "and his many grand-children."

Mr. Bowden was preceded in death by his daughter Virginia Hampton.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Bowden, of Durango; son, William Bowden, of Durango; daughter, Lillian Bodine of Durango; brother, Max Baer Bowden of Nampa, Idaho; sisters Almeda Poe of Durango and Oleta Johnson of Stayton, Ore.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation will occur. No services are scheduled at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, c/o Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301; or the Alzheimer's Unit at Four Corners Health Care Center, 2911 Junction St., Durango, CO 81301.