Billie (Bill) L. Mowry, 88, was born on September 14, 1934, and he passed away on November 22, 2022. Bill was born on a small farm northeast of Minatare, Nebraska. His family moved to Minatare when he was a young boy, where he grew up and graduated from Minatare High School in 1952. Bill served in the U.S. Army for 2.5 years and then enrolled at Chadron State College (CSC). He played football at CSC and started as a defensive end at 5’8” and 150 lbs. on the first ever undefeated team at CSC. During his college years, he met and married Elizabeth (Betty) Ann (Murray) Mowry. They were wed on April 26, 1958.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree at CSC, Bill and Betty moved to Thermopolis, WY where Bill taught and coached for seven years. He then went back to school and earned two advanced degrees and went into school administration. After a long (45+ years) and distinguished career in Wyoming education, he retired to Riverton, WY where he lived until his passing.
Bill’s parents were Henry C and Edith Elaine (McClean) Mowry. He had eight siblings, and was number seven of nine. His family was very close where family reunions were considered a significant occasion to the Mowry family.
Bill and Betty raised three sons, Bryon, Bruce, and Bradley. After Betty passed away in March 1994, Bill met and married Ann (Koonz) Mowry, and after her passing, March 2001, he met his beloved Significant Other Mabel Weber. Bill and Mable enjoyed many years of retired bliss playing golf, following grand kids, great grand kids, and going south to enjoy the warmer weather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Betty and Ann, brothers Kenneth (Leona), Joseph (Darlene), Gerald, James, Harold (JoAnn) and Eugene (JoAnn) and his one sister Elaine Geotzinger (Harold).
Bill is survived by Mable, one brother Hank (Betty), two sisters in-law Violet and Wanda, his three children Bryon (Cheryl) Mowry, Bruce (Lisa McBride) Mowry and Bradley (Lori) Mowry, eight grandchildren, James (Tiffany), Jeffrey (Melissa), Nicole (Wayne) Jordan, Abigail (Tom) Hurley, Zach Mowry, Ryan Mowry, Taylor Mowry, Derek Mowry, and Carsen Mowry. Eleven great-grandchildren, Makena, Elizabeth, Hannah, Alana, Gabriella, Bryce, Claire, Sadie, Branston, William, and Lucy. He is also survived by Ann’s and Mable’s families and many more nieces, nephews and extended family than can be listed.
A huge thank you to our cousin Susan, and Mable’s children for their day-to-day care of our dad. We would also like to thank the staff at Homestead Living and Help for Health Hospice for their care in Bill’s final days.
No services are planned at this time, a celebration of life is planned to be held at a later date.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Arrangements under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.