William Arthur Bowes died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday in the Clearfield Hospital.
Born on Dec. 23, 1920 in Clearfield, he was the son of the late Earl E. and Gertrude (Daugherty) Bowes. He was a member of the Centre Grove United Methodist Church
Mr. Bowes was a retired letter carrier, having served 37 years with the Clearfield Post office. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers; the Clearfield Lodge #314; the Williamsport Consistory; and was a Past Commander of the Clearfield John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 of the American Legion.
He was a proud patriot and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during the World War II in Hawaii, Saipan and the Tinian Islands. At 21 years old, he was Sergeant Major of the Seventh Air Force Headquarters.
Mr. Bowes also received the Atlantic-Pacific Medal with two Bronze Stars, the American Defense Medal, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honored by the Clearfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for his work in reclaiming local cemeteries.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy (Kioske) Bowes; his second wife, Betty (Etzweiler) Bowes; and his third wife, Ellen (Triponey) Bowes.
Mr. Bowes is survived by two daughters, Dr. Betsy McKinley of Franklin and Nancy McCreadie and her husband, Bernie of Clearfield. He is also survived by one sister, Dorothy Mayersky and her husband, John of Chesterland, OH and one step-son, Leonard Triponey and his wife, Connie of Clearfield.
He was the proud grandfather of Matthew (Gail) Brickell of Lee’s Summit, MO; Megan Brickell (Steve) Toler of Mount Gretna; Russell W. (Vanessa) Sykes of Gainesville, GA; and Ellie (Mike) Ross of Fayetteville, NC.
Mr. Bowes is also survived by seven beloved great-grandchildren, Campbell Grace and Beau McKinley Toler; Molly Claire Brickell; John Elliott and Natalie Elizabeth Sykes; and Jalynn Elizabeth and Antonio Dante Ross.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., Clearfield, with the Rev. Dr. Randy Willis officiating. Interment will be at Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde.
Military honors will be accorded by the Clearfield American Legion Post #6 and the VFW Post #1785 Honor Guard.
Friends will be received from 9 a.m. until the hour of services Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. Bowes requested that memorials be made to the Centre United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 268, Hyde, PA 16843.
To send an online tribute, go to www.BennettandHouser.com.