William D. ‘Bill’ Bowen

William D. “Bill” Bowen, 84, of Parsons passed away at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

William Duke Bowen was born on July 24, 1938, to George Emmet and Ermial (Flesher) Bowen in Coffeyville. Upon George’s death in the Battle of the Bulge, Ermial married Willard J. Fletcher in 1950. Bill grew up and attended school in Coffeyville. At age 13, he started working at McCartney Drug in Coffeyville delivering prescriptions on his bicycle. After graduating from Field Kindley High School, Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas.

After graduating from KU, Bill returned to Coffeyville and worked as a pharmacist at McCartney Drug for a time. From 1964 to 1975, he worked as a pharmacist for Rexall Drug in Parsons. In 1975, Bill opened Bowen Pharmacy, which he owned and operated until retiring in 2003.

He was a member of the Parsons Presbyterian Church. For a number of years, Bill was involved in the free clinic in Parsons. He was also a member of the Kansas Arabian Horse Club. He loved horses and ranching. A skilled woodworker, Bill made hope chests for all of his grandchildren and a number of friends.

On June 7, 1964, Bill married Cheryl Wood in Coffeyville. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, J. Russell Bowen (Dawn) of Omaha, Nebraska, and Douglas C. Bowen (Tanya) of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Ashley McDaniel (Logan), Tyler Bowen, Nick Bowen (Claire), Amber Bowen and Alex Bowen; and a sister, Ruth Boss of Edmond, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John Bowen.

The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Parsons Presbyterian Church, 1500 S. 29th St., Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials to Labette Health Foundation or Parsons Presbyterian Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.

Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.