Willliam A. "Bill" Bowers, Jr.

William Alfred “Bill” Bowers, Jr., age 79, passed away on September 10, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. Born August 5, 1947, in St. Augustine, Florida, to William Alfred Bowers, Sr. and Lora Elizabeth Tuten Bowers, Bill returned with his family to Baxley, Georgia, as a young child. He was raised and educated in Appling County and graduated from Appling County High School in 1965.

In his professional career, he worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation and became Area Engineer for the Baxley Area One office before retiring in 1997. He later served for ten years as a consultant engineer, inspector, and trainer with EMC Engineering Services

A dedicated servant of his community, Bill served on the Appling County Board of Education and the Appling County Heritage Center Board of Directors. At First Church in Baxley, he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and cantatas, and served on the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees, and as chairman of the board.

Scouting was one of Bill’s lifelong passions. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1964, along with the God and Country Award, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. As an adult volunteer from 1986 through 2020, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Council Commissioner. His honors included the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award, and recognition as a Golden Eagle honoree.

Bill was also a gifted musician. He began playing trumpet in elementary school, became solo trumpet and a student leader in the Appling County High School band, and was selected Most Talented in his senior class. From 1966 through 1972, he played trumpet and sang lead vocals with several bands throughout the southeastern United States. He also played trumpet during church services and TAPS at memorial and funeral services.

Bill was a charter member of Appling Grays Camp No. 918, Sons of Confederate Veterans, where he served in several leadership positions. His extensive cemetery research and mapping helped document previously unmarked graves across numerous Georgia counties. He was also a member of the Marshes of Glynn Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and shared his historical knowledge through speeches and living-history presentations in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

An accomplished author and genealogist, Bill published regimental histories of the 47th, 27th, and 54th Georgia Volunteer Infantry; Bowers Genealogy: The Descendants of Benjamin Bowers, Sr., of Pitt County, North Carolina; the novel Two Rebels from the Altamaha; the novel Memoirs of an Altamaha River Outdoorsman and Other Drivel, and the novel Young Men and Fast Machines.

Bill will be remembered as a devoted family man, faithful church member, community servant, Scout leader, musician, historian, genealogist, and author whose many years of service enriched Appling County and the lives of those around him.

He was preceded in death by his father, William A. Bowers, Sr., and his mother, Lora Elizabeth Tuten Bowers.

Survivors include his wife, Deloris Willis Bowers; his son, William A. Bowers III (Toni); his grandson, Jack William Bowers; his sister, Elizabeth Bowers Hall (Randall); his mother-in-law, Nancy Willis; one niece, one great niece, two great nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home in Baxley, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Baxley First Church in Baxley, Georgia with Rev. Steve Meguiar and Rev. Adam Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Omega Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Billy Bowers, Ricky Platt, Kevin Parker, Devon Pearce, Lee Lewis, Jon Beck, Matt Jones, and Jamin Miles.

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Vaughn, Weyman Allen, Jack Strickland, Roy McClung, Bobby Lewis, Bill Parker, and Jeff Herrington.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.