William H. Gowan

William H. Gowan, Jr., age 92, of New Philadelphia, went peacefully home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in Union Hospital at Dover. Born August 21, 1917 in Brazil, Indiana, he was the son of the late William H. and Leanore Gowan, Sr. After graduating from New Philadelphia High School in 1935, he continued his formal education at Purdue University and ultimately obtained his degree in aeronautical engineering in California.Bill greatly enjoyed woodworking and building furniture. Throughout his lifetime, he made many cherished items for his family and friends. He was also an advocate for New Philadelphia participating in many clubs and organizations.Bill and his first wife, the late Virginia Gowan, raised three children who survive including, John “Jack” (Elise) Gowan of Punta Gorda, Florida, Jim (Sandy) Gowan of New Philadelphia, and Anne Gowan (Lowell) Shira of Livermore, Ca. He will also be missed by his brother, Donald “Bart” Gowan of River Falls, Alabama, his niece, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many loving extended family members. In addition to Bill’s parents and his first wife, he was also preceded in death by his second wife, Mary Louise Gowan in 2003.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Bill’s life will be held in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will immediately follow the service in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be directed to the New Philadelphia Quaker Club, P.O. Box 202, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.