We lovingly remember William E Bowe III (Bill), born in Walla Walla to William Bowe and Margaret Moulster Bowe on March 17, 1952. His life journey embodied the epitome of devotion as a husband, father, and grandfather.

Bill's formative years began in Prescott, WA where he made lasting friends and developed a strong work ethic on the family farm. He also learned the value of family, friends and neighbors supporting each other in good times and bad. This was a trait that he was committed to his entire life.

Bill went on to Washington State University where he met Sue Worstell in their freshman year. She was attracted to his patience and inquisitive nature, his corny sense of humor, and his gentle soul. They married on September 8, 1973, and celebrated fifty years of marriage last summer.

Bill graduated from WSU in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and went on to work in engineering departments starting with the Hawaiian sugar cane industry. Bill and Sue jumped at the chance to move to Hawaii with his very first job after graduation. They moved to Lahaina, Maui where he worked for the Pioneer Mill Sugar Plantation and soaked up the local culture while starting their family. Son Brian was born there, and the little family moved to Waikiki while Bill took advanced training at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus before transferring to Kauai. There Bill continued his career in the sugar cane industry while working at the Lihue Plantation in drip irrigation. Son Kelly was born there, and the family enjoyed life in a rural plantation setting with easy access to both the ocean and mountains.

Life took a turn when they visited family on the mainland, stopped to visit former professors in Pullman, and Bill was offered a job at WSU in the Ag. Engineering Department. It took some major discussions, but the couple decided to move back to Pullman for the benefit of their sons. It was a good choice. Bill stayed with the department, now renamed Biological Systems Engineering, for the next thirty-one years. He made wonderful friends there and worked with both undergraduates and postgraduate students from many different countries. Bill was best known for his lifelong problem-solving abilities, being resilient and patient with the many changes he encountered over the years, and his still corny sense of humor. He did love his Gary Larson comics. A coworker said that he would leave those whacky cartoons on her desk when her morale was low, and she appreciated his kindness.

Bill retired from WSU in 2009 and moved across the state where he worked for a time at the Snohomish Conservation District, the EPA, and then The Camano Center. Bill and Sue retired to Camano Island, WA with the intent of focusing on family and grandkids in 2013. That was accomplished happily. Allison and Evan were the delight of their grandpa.

Our family lost a loving and brave man to cancer on February 18, 2024. We treasure the memories of Bill and the values that he taught us. He is survived by his wife, Sue, at their Camano Island home; his son Brian (Roglenda), and grandchildren Allison and Evan Bowe of Maple Valley, WA; his son Kelly (Mina) of Lynnwood, WA; his brother Mike Bowe of Prescott, WA and sister Peggy Bowe of Belgrade, MT; brother-in laws Bill Worstell (Pam) of Wenham, MA; Tim Worstell (Gigi) of San Diego, CA, and Rob Worstell (Julie) of Nine Mile Falls, WA; his nieces, nephews, grandniece, and grandnephew.

The funeral will be held at St Thomas More Catholic Church in Spokane, WA at 11:30 on March 9, 2024 with internment afterwards at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.