William Bowden Sr.

William Bowden was born in Engelhard, North Carolina, on October 22, 1933, to Edgar and Ruby Bowden of Lewes, DE. He was the eldest of eight boys and one girl. William moved to Delaware at the age of 15 with his family.

William was educated in Engelhard, North Carolina, before moving to Delaware. As a devoted family man, he made the selfless decision to put his education on hold so that he could work, support, and provide for his family alongside his father. His dedication to those he loved was evident in the way he lived his life, always putting his family’s needs before his own and doing whatever he could to make sure they were
cared for.

William took on many trades before he decided to begin his lifelong passion for lawn care. The journey getting there was not easy, but he fought through with the help of his mentors and a strong mindset.

One push mower grew into a family-owned and operated business of 50-plus years. At the young age of 50, William entrusted his business to the care of his two sons, Troy Sr. (Ta) and Barry, carrying on the legacy and hard work that he had built over the years. He trusted his sons to continue what he had started, allowing the family business to remain a lasting part of his legacy. In his retirement, William was able to recruit two employees, Pete (deceased) and Skeeter (deceased), to assist with the heavy workload.

In William's retirement, he shared his golden years with the love of his late wife, Valeria (deceased), family, friends, and his four-legged child, his dog, Jr. His personal bodyguard would often deter visitors and still receive a steak at dinner time.

William met the love of his life in 1967, Valeria Shepherd, and courted her until June 11th, 2005. From their union, they were blessed with their 3 children, Troy, Fondell, and Barry. However, their love extended beyond their three children, as they shared their love with a blended family of 14 children in total.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Ruby Bowden; his wife, Valeria Bowden; his son, William Jr.; his grandsons, Marlo Tollvier, Travis Brittingham, and Ty’ree Bowden; his brothers, Jennis Bowden, Bernie Lee Bowden, Allen-Ray Bowden, Leon Bowden, Garland Bowden, and Charlie Bowden; and his first wife, Dorothy Holloman.

William leaves to cherish his love: his children, Marie Tolviver, Lincoln, DE; Shirley Frisby, Georgetown; Peggy Cordrey (Jeff), Salisbury, MD; Dorothy Purnell, Dover; Patricia Bowden, Georgetown; Wilhelmina Mifflin, Seaford; Cynthia Mifflin, New Castle; William Mifflin, Georgetown; Maria Brittingham, Lewes, DE; Troy Bowden (Glenda), Georgetown, DE; Fondell Bowden, Georgetown; Barry Bowden (Shawana), Harbeson, DE; and Zondra Shepherd, Seaford, DE.

He also leaves one brother, Billy Bowden, Philadelphia, PA; one sister, Beatrice Oliver, Harbeson, DE; 9 sisters-in-law: Yvonne Bowden (California), Mary Bowden, Dover, DE, Dorlena Bowden, Milton, DE, Regina Sneed, Millsboro, DE, La’Juan Hawkins, Milton, DE, Mary-Etta (Edson) Milton, DE, Sharron Parker (Jerome), Seaford, DE, Jurlene Phillips, Bridgeville, DE, and Elaine Shepherd, Lewes, DE; brothers-in-law: Mervin Shepherd, Virginia Beach; Randy Sneed, Seaford, DE; Donzell Sneed, Lewes, DE; and Darnell Snead, Millsboro, DE; 35 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.