William Edward Dowell (Bill Dowell)
William Edward Dowell (Bill Dowell) Aka ” POPS” Age 73, of Flint, passed away on August 30, 2023. A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 5, at Detroit Cremation Society, 8253 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan, with Pastor Sarah LaRose-Nettell to officiate. Family will be present to receive friends from 2:00 pm until the time of the service at 4:00 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on William’s Tribute Wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.
William Edward Dowell was born October 22, 1949, in Cheboygan, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Shirley (Sova) Dowell. He was married to Debra Ann Dowell and had 3 children Cassie, Billy and Aaron. He was a beloved Grandfather. He served his country in the Marines as a sharp shooter and received Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and National Defense Service Medal and he was honorably Discharged. He loved camping, hunting and fishing he was a Pure Michigan outdoors man. He was a well known musician who always played to the beat of his own drum. He loved to travel and be outside spending days with his family and friends. He was always the life of the party with his witty comments and uncontrollable laughter. He will forever be with us in our hearts and always be missed. He is on the highway to heaven off to start another adventure with his brother Mathew Gunsell until we meet again POPS “Enjoy The Journey”.
William is survived by His Children: Cassie, Billy and Aaron Wife Debbie, Grand children: Brianna, Katelynn, Kyle Karlie, Hanna, Austin, McKinley, Brayden and Keira. Sisters: Char, Lourie and Sandy, Son in law Charlie and Daughter in law Chelsea as well as many nieces and nephews John, Jason, Mathew, Jenny, Shannon, Robert, Leslie, Travis, Chad and Jenny. Friends: Harold, Carol, Dan, Doug, Gary, Ricky, Ralph, Daryl and many more.
William (Bill) was preceded in death by his Parents Raymond and Shirley Dowell, His Brother Skip, Mathew Gunsell, Doug Queen, Rodger Maynard, Lee Mahnke, Jonny Dee, Flea bag, Mike fink and Cliff Garrow.
William’s obituary was written by his loving family.
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Bill also boxed for the Special Services as a Marine. To my knowledge from people who were there with him (all the guys that age from this neighborhood went in together) that he fought 19 professional fights for them. Eye witness told me that a group came up from Mexico for a boxing match and Bill fought a young Roberto Durand to a draw. This is From Gary Grierson AKA “Doc Guitar” 🎸
It’s a end of an era for me. There was 3 men in my life that meant something to me. My Dad, My Grandpa and my Uncle Bill. I’m truly heartbroken over this loss and am going to miss him beyond words. He was always the life of the party and god forbid you laugh at one of his jokes because he would keep that shit going all night long! He wasn’t perfect, non of us are, but he always kept it real. All the beach trips with him, Aaron and my Dad will forever be my favorite times growing up but those camping trips later on in life after my Father passed and how he would always tell me stories of them when they were younger and how he knew how proud my Dad was of me was the best. Even with a tear in his eye, he would bear it and talk to me as if my Dad was still here and tell me everything he could. I’m gonna miss that more than I can even explain. So glad I got to drink that last Corona with lime at my house with you and so happy I got to see you before you passed. Until we meet again, keep that campfire going until we all get there! I love you buddy!
I remember going camping at the campgrounds for free because Papa used to play in the band. Madison and I used to dance around and have fun singing Sweet home Alabama. I also remember feeling cool because I got to go in the back part of the campground where no one else could go. I felt like a VIP. My favorite thing though was sitting on his cooler next to him as he played the drums.
I remember going on boat rides and jumping into the water During the summer and having Papa teach me how to fish. He taught me how to bait my hook, and he even took the fish off because I was too scared. Haha
Great memories deer hunting with Bill in Ocqueoc,usually involved helping drag his and Rays deer back to camp,two of the luckiest guys i’ve ever known 🙂 RIP
Nothing but fond memories with cousin Billy. Never a dull moment, a lot of hunting fishing and a lot of Billy stories and yes that laugh.. miss him popping in when he made his way to town to go hunting and fishing with his dad Raymond that was always an adventure. And last but not least he helped hang the drywall in my home over40 years ago and I think plants still periodically pop-up from time to time. A wonderful soul .. rest in Peace Billy
I new bill for years we played a few jobs before I moved to Cincinnati and later we played together for about 5 years at krystal lake campground bill was a funny guy every time he came up north if I wasn’t home he would leave a empty beer can by my door to tell me was there rest in peace my friend the music world that we knew will never be the same
RIP old man winter!!! I’ll never forget the life lessons that you taught me!!! My heart is hurt for all of us that will miss you and all the peace and wisdom you gave to us all!!! Even the hard lessons you taught me thank you!!! Love D
I have memories of you that will last a life time from grilling fish out back when we come up north to going out on the lake with you and dad on Shelbys boat makein us go in side from a. golf. ball getting bounced of the neighbors building in the back will. never forget you uncle Bill love you fly high in them streets of gold tell me meet again
I first met Bill while playing in a band with his son. He was always full of jokes and always enjoyed music. Rest in peace Aka POPS you will be missed.
-Chef
We rode a lot of two tracks with pepperjack cheese and joints and beer. Shot a lot of guns and bows and played a ton of shows. Now your on a trail I can’t follow you on but you get to be with your dad and your cool ass old uncles who let us share deer camp for so many years. See you in the happy hunting grounds my friend, rest well.
I’m sorry for the family’s loss of a funny kind man I knew him by his daughter I have a few memories of going to his house with his daughter and taking a paddle boat on the water he lived by to an island we were young but something I will never forget my condolences to the whole family 🙏❤️
Thank you, Bill for being a friend to me. I appreciate the times you were there for me. I always thought you were a funny, funny guy. Thanks for teaching me how to roll. Lol.
Big Bill always had a smile for me, so I kept him laughing. He and uncle Gary were top supporters in the early days of my band that little Willie vegas (lol) was a part of. I couldn’t appreciate either one of them enough. I looked forward to any opportunity to actually play music with him. We locked once or twice. I believe he would’ve been a great drummer on another path. RIH MyBrother and thank you.
How do I say goodbye to someone who has been in my life over 51 years? I can’t. I just can’t. Most of what I am feeling will stay between you and me, in my heart. You gave me 3 beautiful reasons to love you forever, my children. Every time I look at them I will think of you. You are no longer here in the flesh but your love surrounds me still. I can feel it. I carry you in my heart. You will be a part of me forever. See you on the other side. Love you forever, Debbie
My father was one of a kind he was the best dad I could have asked for I will never be the same without him and will always miss him in everything that I do. He always put me first, worried about what I needed or my kids needed which is why I always made sure he had what he needed. I have so many memories with him from sitting out under a tree and having a cook out and having drinks too going up north and him showing me all there is to do in Michigan. I can’t even begin to try and put every memory down on a piece of paper all I know is that anywhere I go and everything I do he is going to be with me. I’m going to miss the way he looked at me his smile with his laugh all his jokes I’ll miss him calling me his baby doll and telling me he loved me that whatever I need he’s got me waking up at 8:00 a.m. to him asking me where we are going what’s the plans for today or every time that I’m upset hes always trying to make it better I can’t think of one thing I’m not going to miss I love him so much and I wish like hell that love could have saved him or that love could bring him back.
Rest easy, Pops. Semper Fi.