William R Cowdrey

William Robert 'Bill' Cowdrey, Jr. was born August 7, 1933, at Newton, Kansas, the son of William Robert, Sr. and Marie Christine (Hunter) Cowdrey. In his youth, he lived in several locations, including Morris, Wichita, and Emporia, Kansas. Due to his job, he and his family lived in several states, including Utah, Colorado, Texas and California. He lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma before moving to the Franklin County, Kansas area in 1986, where he made his home until his death Monday, May 22, 2006, at the age of seventy' two years. He attended schools in Morris and graduated from Emporia High School with the class of 1951, and graduated from the University of Kansas in Lawrence in May of 1960 with a Bachelors Degree in Business. Bill worked as a commercial credit specialist in the treasury department of Phillips Petroleum Company of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, retiring in 1986. Following his retirement, Bill worked as an associate for Watkins Products. He was previously employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a fireman. From December 16, 1953 until December 15, 1955 Bill served in the United States Army, as a Specialist 3rd Class. Bill was committed to his family and was active in the community. He coached girls' softball and boys baseball for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of Ladybug Softball League, Braeburn Little League and Kyle Chapman Pony League for more than 10 years. He also volunteered for the Houston Rangers PeeWee Football League for several years. On August 1, 1959 Bill was united in marriage with Shirley Mayetta Schwilling at Topeka, Kansas. They shared forty-six years of marriage. She survives of their home. Bill is also survived by a daughter, Lynne Marie Tatum and her husband, John Allen Tatum, Ill of Chester, New Jersey; a son, William Robert