Pearl William 'Bill' Dowers Jr.

Fairmount-Pearl William Bill Dowers Jr. passed away at 7:00 a.m. Friday, February 4TH, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born September 10TH, 1923 in Fairmount, Illinois to Pearl and Cleo Dowers. He married Frances Doyle on October 27TH, 1945 in San Francisco, California. She died August 25TH, 2010. A brother Harold predeceased Mr. Dowers. Surviving are a brother Dale Dowers of Danville and a sister Patricia (Joe) Fox, also of Danville. Bill leaves three children: Jim (Sandy) Dowers, Sharon Hall (Bill Houpt) and Barbara (Bill) Gall and five grandchildren: Ben Dowers of Danville, Allen Gall of Vernon Hills, Illinois, Rachel Hall (Dustin Howes) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sarah Hall (Chris Harpst) of Champaign and Dan Hall of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Two great-grandchildren, Madeline and Henry Hall-Howes also survive Mr. Dowers. He served in the Coast Guard and landed troops in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Later he served as Commander of the Navy Club in Danville. He made great efforts to reconnect regularly with his fellow veterans by phone and in person throughout his life. Bill worked at Allied Chemical for many years and in retirement loved camping and fishing with his wife. He could fix anything even if parts were not available. His family marveled at his ingenuity for making things work. He took great care of his beloved wife during her recent extended illness. He is cherished and will be greatly missed by his family. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 11TH, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home. Memorials may be made to any veterans organization of the donors choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.