William J. "Bill" Cowan

William J. "Bill" Cowan, age 91, of Versailles, passed away unexpectedly early Saturday morning, August 29, 2015 at St. Marys Health Center in Jefferson City.
He was born February 18, 1924, in Hockerville, Oklahoma a son of Herbert John and Flora May Garvin Cowan.
Bill grew up in Atchison, Kansas. On November 24, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army. Bill served his country in World War II in the Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns, being awarded three Bronze Stars, the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Victory Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received his Honorable Discharge on January 1, 1946.
Following the war, Bill worked as a lineman, doing government contract electric work throughout California, Colorado and various other locations, retiring in March of 1977.
After his retirement he moved to the Lake of the Ozarks area to be near his mother and sister. After living in the area for a while, Bill was encouraged to ride the OATS bus and it was during one of those trips he met a very special lady. On February 18, 1984, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Versailles, Bill married Esther Lee Hales, who survives at a care facility in Tipton.
Bill and Esther enjoyed traveling and spending time at the lake, and it was through Esther, Bill gained a family. He especially enjoyed the time he could spend with two of his grandsons, Garrett and Tyler and great grandchildren, Braxdin and Makenna; he was also eagerly awaiting the arrival of baby Nolan in October.
Survivors include his wife, Esther; three daughters, Malenda Gibson and husband Mark of Versailles; Diana Holland of Warrensburg and Karen Miller and husband Jim of Idaho; six grandchildren, Garrett Gibson and wife Amie, Tyler Gibson, Chris Holland, Rebecca VanWey and husband Jeremy, Michelle Miller Lackey and Stephen Miller, eleven great grandchildren, along with other relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Neoma Cowen and a sister, Ruby Anderson.
In keeping with his wishes, private services, with military honors, were held Sunday, August 30, at the Glensted Cemetery in Versailles.

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