W. Bruce Bowman Obituary (1937

W. Bruce Bowman, 74, of Skowhegan, passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2011 with family by his side after a long courageous battle with a spinal cord injury, advanced heart disease, and liver cancer. He was born January 21, 1937 in Cornville, Maine in the family home. After serving in the US Army from 1956 through 1959, he returned home from Germany to marry his High School sweetheart Nancy Butterfield. Bruce has been married to his wife and best friend for the past 52 years and had three sons together. He was known as an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed the Maine woods as much as time allowed him. Hunting was his passion. Many hours were spent throughout his life hunting and fishing with his family. He deeply loved his wife, sons, and their families. He enjoyed the company of all people and was known to strike up a conversation with anybody who came across his path in life. Everybody loved him. He touched the lives of many people with his kindness and generosity. Bruce was a member of the Keystone Masonic Lodge #80 in Solon, Maine. He and his wife owned several successful businesses in the past. Including; “Bowman’s General Store” in Athens, “B&B Auto Parts Store” in Skowhegan, “Walter Ray General Store” in Anson, “Bruce Haven Boarding Home” in Madison, “Bowman’s Pallet Mill” in Madison, “The Shed” in Cornville, and “Bowman’s Lobster Pound” in Cornville. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Nancy of Skowhegan, Maine; his son, Gary Bowman and wife Annette of Waterville, Maine; his son William (Bill) Bowman and wife Amy of Solon, Maine; his son James Bowman and wife Crystal of North Anson, Maine. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Bob) Bowman of Harmony, Maine; sister in-law Mary Bowman of Skowhegan, Maine; Eleven grandchildren: Stacy Bowman, Ashley Bowman, Adam Bowman, Nicholas Bowman, Nichole Bowman, Andrew Bowman, Matthew Bowman, Megan Bowman, Alexis Bowman, Ashley Emery, and Brittney Hanson, four great grandchildren, and several loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his Father, Donald (Don) Bowman, Mother, Thelma Bowman, sisters; June Cayford and Blanche Preeny, brothers; Joseph (Joe) Bowman, Donald Jr. Bowman, Linwood Bowman, Arthur Bowman, Richard Bowman, and Carlton Bowman. Visiting hours will be held on Monday August 29th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine, with a Masonic Service being held at 7pm on Monday August 29th at the funeral home. His funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 30th at 1:00 pm at the Federated Church on Island Ave in Skowhegan, burial to follow at Collins Cemetery in Cornville, Maine.