William Bowden

William Jay Bowden retuned to his Heavenly Father's care February 18, 2015 after bravely struggling with liver cancer. Bill as he was known to his family or Jay as he was known by those who met him in Jr. High or later, was born September 24, 1949 to Emil Jay and Olive Vicena (Bancroft) Bowden in Vernal, Utah. Eleven months later his brother Richard Lynn was born. The two have remained close.

They lived in Worland, Pinedale, and Rock Springs, Wyoming then returned to Vernal.

He attended Maeser Elementary, Ashley Valley Junior High, and graduated from Uintah High School.

He was Stage Crew Manager in High School.

He attended one year of college at the Technical College in Salt Lake City, studying Electronics.

He met Pamela Sorensen when he was stage crew for a summer Community Theater Melodrama. In the Fall of 1970 he was drafted into the Army. He gave Pam an engagement ring before leaving. He was stationed at Patton near Heidelberg, Germany. Jay was an Armoror and Mail Clerk. He earned a Sharpshooter Award.

They married December 17, 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple then left for Germany in early January. They attended the Swiss Temple and visited several countries in Europe. After his honorable discharge Jay enrolled in College again. Several months later Xerox offered Jay a job as a Service Representative in Vernal so the couple moved home where they became the proud parents of a son, Jamon Jay.

In 1994 they moved with Val & Virginia Sorensen to Cedar City to start Southern Rim Construction. Missing family, they returned to Vernal and Jay became a General Contractor. Jamon joined him in Aspen Ridge Construction. They stayed with Dan & Jan Deans framing several houses for Dan's company in the Orem area, as well as keeping busy in Vernal. When Jay's health declined he gave up the heavier construction work. He worked for their nephew Wes Sorensen until a few months before his death.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a Primary Teacher, served in the Nursery with his wife, assisted in the Scouting program, and was Secretary to Bishop Richard Jolley.

When Jamon joined Search and Rescue, Jay joined also. He was a dedicated member. He participated in many searches and helped S&R in community events such as the Rodeo and Triathlon.

His family was the focus and great joy of his life. No father was more proud of his son than Jay of Jamon; he loved doing things with his son. He relished each chance to enjoy his cherished granddaughters and loved to good-naturedly tease with them.

He had many hobbies- camping, dutch oven cooking, fly fishing, hiking with his dogs, traveling, Ham Radio, photography, Science Fiction or Fantasy books and movies such as Star Trek, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings. He wrote poems, stories and songs. He purchased an Arabian horse and earned the Silver Medal at the Endurance Race in southern Utah.

His kindness, sense of humor, and willingness to help will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law Jamon and Trinidy and granddaughters, Kaia, Jada and Journey, brother and sister-in-law Dick and Donna.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Blaine.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, 2015 at 11 A.M. at the Maeser Stake Center (2745 West 1000 North). A viewing was held Sunday evening from 6~8PM at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Monday 9:45~10:45AM at the chapel prior to the services. Interment was in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion and the Utah National Guard. Services were under the direction of the Ashley Valley Funeral Home.