WILLIAM M. BOWKER

 HON. W. M. BOWKER

PASSED AWAY SUNDAY

NIGHT AT 10 O'CLOCK

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The Deceased Was One of the Leading

and Most Highly Esteemed Citizens of this City.

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Senator Bowker Was One of the

Ablest and Most Successful Lawyers in This State

Funeral Services Wednesday Afternoon at the Home.

   With genuine regret the news of the death of Honorable W. M. Bowker will be received not only in this city and county but in all parts of the state.The life of this splendid man and outstanding citizen reached its close at ten o'clock Sunday night at the home on North Washington street, following an illness of many months. As is well known Mr. Bowker had been ill for some time but after his return from Kansas City, where he had been under the care of specialists, his many friends hoped that his health would be restored and that once again he would enjoy good health and resume the important place he had held in his profession and as a public spirited and leading citizen of this community. Friends and members of his family were painfully disappointed for all that medical skill and tender and constant care could offer proved of no avail. A recent attack of pneumonia proved too much for his constitution to withstand and his life's journey came to its end, peacefully and not wholly unexpected.

   In the passing of Senator Bowker his devoted wife and daughter, Mary Frances, have suffered a loss that words cannot express, the one surviving brother, J. O. Bowker, of Payette, Idaho, and two sisters, Mrs. Agnes Arbaugh of Springfield and Mrs. Harriet Peck of Topeka, have also been called upon to give up a brother whose place cannot be filled. Nevada has lost one of its most prominent, influential and most useful residents and the state has lost one of its outstanding men.

   Senator Bowker was born May 2, 1865, at Carthage, Illinois, where he attended the public schools and later attended Craddock College at Quincy, graduating on June 17, 1886. After completing his college course he entered the office of Judge Scofield in Carthage, Ill. and studied law and later was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Illinois. In 1889 Senator Bowker located in Nevada for the practice of law and soon became recognized as a lawyer of exceptional ability. In 1905 he became associated with his brother-in-law, the late L. L. Scott, and this law firm continued until the death of Mr. Scott, after which Senator Bowker continued to practice his profession alone.  Mr. Bowker's first wife, who was Miss Nadine Scott, passed away in 1910 and several years later he and his surviving wife were married and to this union was born the surviving daughter, Mary Frances.

   As a lawyer Senator Bowker was one of the ablest in Southwest Missouri both as a trial lawyer and counselor and none were more successful or stood higher in the estimation of the bar and the public. He practiced in all the courts and was widely and favorably known in all parts of the state by members of the State Bar Association. During the past several years he was the district attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railway Company. Politically, Senator Bowker was a democrat and he took a leading part in the affairs of his party in this county, district and state and was a prominent figure in all of the district and state conventions and conferences. He was a strong supporter and personal friend of the late United States Senator Stone and also of ex-United States Senator James A. Reed of Kansas City. Senator Bowker's support and advice was sought by many of the state's democratic senators, governors and others who held high office. Always a strong, old fashioned democrat and party leader, he was a gallant and fearless champion but never offensive in political battles nor did he countenance trickery to gain a victory. He served as a state senator from 1919 to 1923 and was one of the outstanding and most influential members of the state senate. He also served as a member of the State Eleemosynary Commission.

   While a member of the state senate Mr. Bowker performed many services valuable to the state and was a member of the most important committees, one of which was that of the executive committee which had charge of the state-wide Centennial celebration held at the state fair grounds August 8-20, 1921.

   As a citizen of Nevada he gave of his talent, money and time to every cause that was for the betterment and growth of this city. He supported loyally every worthy institution and every movement that sought to make other happier and more prosperous. Senator Bowker was not only a professional man of the highest order but he also was a man of exceptional business ability and in his dealings in real estate he was successful. At the time of his death he was the owner of the Hotel Mitchell building and the three story business house at the southeast corner of the square, two of the most valuable business properties in the city.

   Personally Senator Bowker was always the American gentleman, fair and considerate of others in his every act and thought, always ready to give to his utmost in serving his fellowman; a more delightful companion, loyal and steadfast in his friendships and a hospitable and gracious host in his home. In all his various dealings with is fellowman he never harbored resentment or ill will against any man. He seemed always to quickly forgive any lack of consideration on the part of those who were most indebted to him. If there ever was a man in Nevada who always had a friendly feeling toward everyone that man was Senator Bowker.

   In every relation in life, citizen, lawyer, husband, father, brother, friend, Senator Bowker measured fully up to the highest American standard. He met fully every duty and every responsibility, he gave much and asked for very little in return; he lived and labored well, accepted both sunshine and shadows bravely, calmly and like the true man he was he was modest in victory and unresentful in defeat.

   The shadow of sorrow has now crossed the threshold of his home but the memory of him who lived for those within will soften the darkness as the years pass.

   Funeral services for Senator Bowker will be held at the home on North Washington street Wednesday afternoon at 8 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Lambert, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Interment at Deepwood.

The Nevada Daily Mail and Evening Post, Nevada, Missouri.

Monday, February 9, 1931, page 1.

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