William Anthony McDowell

Our beloved and cherished William Anthony McDowell left this world for his Heavenly Father’s glorious home on 10 August 2022, nineteen days before his 81st birthday. Our hearts are broken and are beyond repair as this amazing, humble, giving man is irreplaceable. Born to James J. McDowell and Lillian Mae Krider McDowell in Louisville, Kentucky on 29 August 1941, Bill said he had loving, supportive, and caring parents who provided a normal childhood with wonderful memories. The youngest of three children, Bill had an older brother Jim who served in and retired from the United States Marine Corps, and a sister, Mary Louise; both deceased. Bill is survived by his wife Linda of Spanish Fort, Alabama, and three sons: Christopher (Janice) of Ocean, NJ; Christian (Jonquil) of Spanish Fort, AL; and Ian (Katherine) of Bluffton, SC. There are three grandsons: Zach (NJ), Liam and Finn (AL). A man who believed in duty, honor, and Country, Bill entered the Marine Corps in 1962, retiring as a MSGT (E-8) in January 1983. This patriotic Marine was proud of the Corps and was guided by its many codes, including Semper Fidelis, “Always Faithful.” His career included, but was not limited to, two tours in Vietnam and assignments in Iwakuni, Japan; Yuma; El Torro; and Cherry Point. His knowledge and leadership abilities were outstanding, resulting in several briefings to admirals and generals. It was evident that he would have been promoted to E-9 had he not retired, but this generous man felt he needed to be available full-time for his family, which was the center of his life. After his retirement, the family was assigned to Iwakuni, Japan, on Linda’s orders followed by San Diego and then Atlanta. In 1993 Bill began working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Southeast Region Atlanta. The region covered ten states in addition to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The grant department was fortunate to have Bill on staff as his attention to detail, timeliness, and communication skills assisted that particular department in accomplishing its mission of distributing over $250 million annually in grants to state conservation agencies. He was greatly missed after his retirement. Bill and Linda lived in Georgia from 1991 until 2020 when they moved to the Eastern Shore area of Alabama. Bill and Linda, his wife of over forty years, met while he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where she was the education and training officer for Naval Hospital staff at the air station. Drawn to his great smile and engaging eyes, Linda found the love of her life and her soulmate in this man who gave unconditional, steadfast love and commitment. His patience and kindness were extraordinary. Holding hands was one form of affection they both treasured. She would tell him, “I love you,” but he would always counter with, “I love you more.” Christian said this in his tribute to Bill, “It wasn’t the Naval Academy that taught me the importance of duty, honor and service to country above oneself, it was Dad. Dad instilled in me a moral as well as a legal obligation to do what is right, complete the task assigned, to seek out and fulfill responsibilities, and to be held accountable for one’s actions. When I think of him, I think of a man who was God fearing and a man of faith; a man who was gentle, but firm; a man who was patient and understanding; a man who was selfless; a man of honor, dignity, and respect; a man with strong morals and ethics; a man who valued the importance of discipline and accountability; a man who loved freedom and respected human life; and above all, a man who was always faithful to God, to his country, and to his family and loved ones.” Ian said his dad “Pops” was his best friend. From grade school and into college, Bill supported Ian’s soccer practices and games, even going overseas with him for soccer related trips. Bill was a thoroughly enthusiastic soccer fan. In Ian’s tribute, he said, “Dad was the best listener and always took the time to fully understand every scenario. I learned so much from just studying how he raised us and interacted with others throughout his life. How to sit back and see the whole situation, compile thoughts, and give great advice….Dad, you always wanted family first and here we are. Christian and I will take care of Mom. We will try our best to be the men you wanted us to be in the hopes that one day we can be on the same pedestal as you. I know you are right beside us all the way, but I wish I could embrace you along the way. Thanks for sharing with me life’s journey and the way to live it and approach it. I’m so proud to say I’m a McDowell. It is the greatest honor I will ever have.” Services were held 12 August at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope, Alabama for immediate family. The Rev. Thack Dyson of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne officiated. Music included Amazing Grace with bagpipes and the Navy Hymn. Tributes from family left no dry eyes. Those in attendance gave a Grand Marnier toast to Bill and to the Corps. TAPS followed. Per his wishes, Bill was cremated with final resting place to be the Georgia National Cemetery (north Georgia) at a date to be determined. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD. FAIRHOPE AL. 36532 (251) 990-7775