BORN 1947
DIED 2023
ABOUT
Gonzaga University
University of Washington
William COWLEY Obituary
William "Bill" Louis Cowley was born in Lincoln, NE, on October 26, 1947, to Earl William and Montez Simmons Cowley. He died on December 12, 2023, at Hospice House in Kennewick, WA. Bill grew up in Spokane, WA, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. He earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Gonzaga University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Bill met his future wife, Paula Jean Keiser, the summer after their freshman year of high school at the local swimming pool. They married in 1966 and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary just before his death. Bill was commissioned in the Army at Gonzaga. He completed Chemical Corps' Officers Basic Training in Anniston, AL, the summer of 1970, and was assigned to Germany in the Chemical Corps.
He and Paula had two sons, David and Brian, and spent their early years stationed in West Germany, traveling in Germany and to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and England. Coming back to the US, they spent nine months at Ft. Hood, TX, before moving to Richland, WA, where Bill worked at the Hanford Site as a Nuclear Safety Analyst. He retired after 32 years of service.
Music and his faith were important parts of his life. He played tuba in the Columbia Basic Community band for many years and sang in the church choir. He was a long-time member of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland, serving on many committees throughout the years, including Senior Warden (board chairman), Junior Warden (facility management), Outreach Treasurer, and search committee chairman (recruiting a new priest).
Bill is survived by his wife, Paula Richland; sons, David (Wendy), Richland, Brian (Chris), Spokane Valley; grandsons, Jared and Sean, Spokane Valley; his siblings-in-law, Ellen and John Flanigan, Spokane, Owen and Becky Keiser, San Antonio, TX, Dale and Judi Keiser, Spokane; as well as five nieces and nephews.
Bill's funeral was held on March 9, 2024, at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland, WA. Bill's ashes were buried on church property.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Mar. 31, 2024.
DIED 2023
ABOUT
Gonzaga University
University of Washington
William COWLEY Obituary
William "Bill" Louis Cowley was born in Lincoln, NE, on October 26, 1947, to Earl William and Montez Simmons Cowley. He died on December 12, 2023, at Hospice House in Kennewick, WA. Bill grew up in Spokane, WA, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. He earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Gonzaga University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Bill met his future wife, Paula Jean Keiser, the summer after their freshman year of high school at the local swimming pool. They married in 1966 and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary just before his death. Bill was commissioned in the Army at Gonzaga. He completed Chemical Corps' Officers Basic Training in Anniston, AL, the summer of 1970, and was assigned to Germany in the Chemical Corps.
He and Paula had two sons, David and Brian, and spent their early years stationed in West Germany, traveling in Germany and to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and England. Coming back to the US, they spent nine months at Ft. Hood, TX, before moving to Richland, WA, where Bill worked at the Hanford Site as a Nuclear Safety Analyst. He retired after 32 years of service.
Music and his faith were important parts of his life. He played tuba in the Columbia Basic Community band for many years and sang in the church choir. He was a long-time member of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland, serving on many committees throughout the years, including Senior Warden (board chairman), Junior Warden (facility management), Outreach Treasurer, and search committee chairman (recruiting a new priest).
Bill is survived by his wife, Paula Richland; sons, David (Wendy), Richland, Brian (Chris), Spokane Valley; grandsons, Jared and Sean, Spokane Valley; his siblings-in-law, Ellen and John Flanigan, Spokane, Owen and Becky Keiser, San Antonio, TX, Dale and Judi Keiser, Spokane; as well as five nieces and nephews.
Bill's funeral was held on March 9, 2024, at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland, WA. Bill's ashes were buried on church property.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Mar. 31, 2024.
William Lewis Cowley
