NEW WHITELAND
James “Bill” Preston Bowden, 91, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 8th, 2017.
Bill was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the son of the late Homer Gerome Bowden and Mary Emma (Lusk) Bowden.
He spent his childhood in the Fountain Square area in Indianapolis and his antics earned him the nickname “Wild Bill”.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He participated in the Pacific Theatre and in the Battle of Okinawa. He was wounded and taken prisoner on June 13th, 1945. His heroic actions earned him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medal for heroism.
He married Edith Eugene (Houchin) on March 20th, 1948. They were married for sixty-nine years and had three children.
Bill retired from the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin in 1988 after twenty-five years of service. He was a member of the Franklin Masonic Lodge No. 105, F & A M and was one of the founding families of the Temple Baptist Church.
He enjoyed camping vacations, fishing and hunting. He and Edith played music and sang together with Bill on bass, guitar and mandolin for over thirty years. Later in life, they entertained at Senior centers and Retirement centers.
Surviving are his wife Edith, daughters, Marie Lenore (Marlin, deceased) Cole and Sherrie Ann (Dennis) Plank and son, Randy James Bowden. Also surviving are grandchildren, Amy Lenore (Robert, deceased) Dye, Alan Walter (Erica) Cole, Steven Eugene Cole, Laura Christine Plank Dorell, and Brian Douglas Plank; great-grandchildren, Kegan James Dye, McKenzie Jean Dye, Kayla Noel Dye and Emily Brianne Cole. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Gerome and Emma Bowden, siblings, Anna Odell Scotten, Homer Gerome Bowden, Jr., Jackie Pat Bowden, and grandchildren, Jason M. Risk and Jennifer S. Plank.
There will be a private ceremony for the family. An open house will be held at the home of the widow on December 17th, 2017 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 148, Woodland Drive, New Whiteland, Indiana.
Online condolences may be received at www.flinnmaguire.net
