Obituary of William Lee Dowlin

William Lee “Bill” Dowlin, Sr, was born on a farm in Marion County, near Emden, Missouri on October 18th, 1928 to Jess Franklin Dowlin and Naomi Eloise O’Bryan. Raised in Warren, Missouri, he attended Monroe City and Mexico High Schools. He enlisted in the US Army Air Force at age 17 in 1945 because he wanted to become a pilot. Stationed on Guam in the South Pacific until 1949, he attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his discharge and while working construction and farming, he utilized the GI Bill to attend flight school and reached his goal of earning a pilot’s license and his wings. Bill discovered his calling in the mid-1960s when he began a career in agribusiness sales and service. His enjoyment in interacting and talking with people, getting to know them and developing relationships made for many customers who became longtime friends as well. The relationships and people he served in his 52 years in agribusiness made his work a pleasure and a vital part of himself, to the point where he was still working and doing business with customers and friends at the time of his death. On May 17th, 1953, he married Ruth Marilyn Bradley of rural Huntsville. She survives him at their home in rural Madison, in addition to two adult children, Candace Pendora Dowlin-Greene and husband Terry of rural Madison, and William Lee Dowlin Jr and wife Sandy of Rolla, in addition to numerous step-grandchildren & step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Betty Meine of St. Louis, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Robert Meine. Bill was a member of Union Avenue Christian Church (now Timberlake Christian Church) for many years and a longtime member and neighbor of the Middle Grove community. Services will be held Sunday, July 16th at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. with interment in Oakland Cemetery, both of Moberly, Missouri.