01/24/2026
Dave Bowers
William David Bowers, son of Earl Bowers and Ruth (Denney) Bowers-Fewin was born on April 1, 1938-April Fool’s Day, in Seymour, Webster County, Missouri. He departed this life on January 23, 2026, at Castlewood Memory Care Unit in Nixa, Christian County, Missouri where he had lived since May, 2025, after suffering a stroke in February.
Dave, as he was most commonly known, grew up in the Seymour area and attended Burnett and the Seymour School District. He was always quite the jokester and for those who knew him, he would often ‘wiggle his ears’ to let you know that he was listening, or to get your valued attention. His antics, pranks, and sly grin were well known to all around him. Alongside his brother and best friend-Kenneth, he trekked the hillsides of the old home-place, explored caves, and swam in the many creeks and rivers, thus creating many stories and adventures to last a lifetime. Another best friend and co-conspirator was his brother-in-law, Philip Cook. There are a number of stories with these two that are not for public consumption, but let’s just say- ‘they got into trouble’!
On April 30, 1956, in Valley Center, Kansas, as Dad would tell it, his boss let him off work so that he could go marry the love of his life, Lola Jean Cook. With borrowed rings from Jean’s sister ‘Snookie’, the two became one and began a 53-year journey that sadly ended when Jean passed on October 8, 2009. It was in 2010 that Ms. Shirley Cole became a great friend, confidante, traveling buddy and a part of our family. Thank you Ms. Shirley for sharing your life these past few years with him and US!
To the union of Dave and Jean, 5 children were born. David Lee Bowers (Penny) of Diggins, Missouri; Deborah Jean Newman (Terry) of Rogersville, Missouri; Diana Lynn Bowers (stillborn 1960); Roger Dewayne Bowers (Cordie) of Diggins, Missouri; and Lisa Ann Cemer (deceased 2016), her surviving husband Bill Cemer (Nebraska). Additionally, a special son-in-law, Joel Dean Cook passed in 2017.
Affectionately known as “Grandpa” (with a long southern drawl) or “Poppy B”, each of his six grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Each one will let you know that they were indeed his favorite, as he had enough LOVE to go around to each to make them feel that way. They all have stories of their greatest adventures with him, and the special bond they shared together. Surviving grandchildren include: Michael Dean (Nicole) and his family-Courtney, Lizzie, Ava, and Cameron; Melisa Newman and her family-Mercedes, Kenzie, and Noah; Amanda Kissee (Robert) and her family-Hunter, Tanner, Jonah, Remi and Rori Ann; Jeremy Dewayne Bowers and his family-Charity, Bre, Charmagne and DeAsia; Jessica Bowers and her family-Eliza, Emma, Eli and Easton; Megan LeeAnn (Zack) Wood and son Ian Jayce Clark. Great-great grandchildren include-Ryleigh, Aria, Camila, Braylin, Mikael, Micah, and Chevelle for a total of 6 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife-Jean Bowers; daughters-Diana Lynn and Lisa Ann; son-in-law Joel Dean Cook. His parents-Earl Bowers and mother Ruth (Denney) Fewin and husband John C. Fewin; sister-Juanita and her husband Clifford Cornelison; brothers-Kenneth and his wife Lorene, brother-Billy Paul Bowers. Additionally, from Jean’s family preceding him were her mother and father-Ben and Freeda Cook, along with her brothers and sisters: Freeda Cook, ‘Snookie’ and husband John Corner; Fred Cook, Elston and wife Juanita Cook; Anita Jo Kelly and her husband Steve; Mabel Cook, Ben ‘Dude’ and his wife Barsha Cook.
Surviving siblings include: Alferd Bowers (Lynora-deceased) of Texas; Carroll Sue Duncan (Sylvan-deceased) of Van Buren, Missouri; James ‘Eddie’ (Diana) of Seymour, Missouri; Evelyn Young (Dean-deceased) of Seymour, Missouri; Phil Cook (Mabel-deceased) of Diggins, Missouri; sister-in-law Elinor (Gary) Perkins of Springfield, Missouri. He is further survived by a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins and Friends.
Dave’s Christian venture in this life began at the United Pentecostal Church in Diggins, Missouri, on an Easter Sunday in the 1960’s while Rev. Floyd and Betty Newman pastored. His life immensely changed. And as he would often sing and say about his previous life- “I Found a Better Way”. Dave and Jean raised their children in the Christian Faith and this was what that they lived by. He never wavered in his Faith, his Foundation, and the Following of the teachings of the Bible. Throughout the years, there have been many that have been touched or influenced by his Life and he will be the first to say that it was only because of the Goodness and Faithfulness of God that he made it through 87 years.
For over 50 years, Dave worked in the block business driving a boom truck for Glenstone Block, Willard Block and Stewart-Nattinger Materials. His greatest vocational enjoyment was to be behind the wheel of his boom truck, delivering literally thousands of blocks during his lifetime to every area of the region, and greeting both old and new customers on his daily route. He consequently began a small block business himself in Diggins where he sold many blocks, doors, windows and other ‘treasures’ (as he would call them), to many in the surrounding area. He loved working with so many, and Reuben Phillips was endeared to him, not only as a boss, but a Friend for Life. In addition, four very special individuals became life-long friends: Freddie Vines, Merle Hardecky, Mike Terry and Denzil Young, as well as a very special nephew-Brandon ‘Bo’ Cook.
Another of Dave’s greatest achievements was to go to the woods, cut the trees down, split the wood and just take in the beauty of seeing a big pile of wood for his much-loved fireplace. Weather was not a factor for him-he would cut wood in the heat, bitter cold temperatures, blinding snow or torrential rain. He loved the smell, sound, and the entire atmosphere of the woods and nature.
Dave took pride in the Village of Diggins and his community. He served as Cubmaster for a number of years for the Scout Troop sponsored by the Diggins Apostolic Church and went on various outings and camping trips with this group along with his great friend-Denzil Young. One of life’s treasures that he spoke about constantly was that he was able to be Uncle Sam at the 100th Anniversary Celebration for the Village of Diggins in 1987, and to meet with the Founder of Walmart-Sam Walton and his brother, Bud. The picture of the two of them has been with him since that day and hung in his home at the Castlewood these last few months. His contributions behind the scenes helped to establish the Community Park and Veteran’s Memorial in the Village of Diggins, and future plans for Patterson Park near his home in Diggins, Missouri.
The family would like to extend a special THANK YOU to the Directors and Staff at The Maples where he recovered during rehab, and then most recently at Castlewood Memory Care Unit in Nixa for the care that they took with our Dad during his stay at their facility. Courtney, Kim and Val-Thank you for being such great administrators and directors along with supporting us so greatly during this chapter of his and our lives, alongside the many staff that took exceptional care of him and created another Family for him and us to enjoy.
And to you who are left as we…There are many books of memories that could be written of Dad and your own special memories with him. He always wanted to make sure that everyone saw his PRIDE and JOY and as a token of our appreciation for your Friendship to him through the years in whatever capacity it was, we want you to also share Dave’s Pride and Joy.
What he would want from you this day is to “GO” - “ENJOY” - “LIVE” as though you have never done that before. There are too many memories out there that are attainable. JUST DO IT…and remember William David Bowers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Breast Cancer Awareness, Dementia Awareness, or Village of Diggins-Patterson Park Project, in care of the funeral home.
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