Clifford Lee Bowser, 84, died on March 4, 2016, at the James Hospital in Columbus.
He was born on Sept. 19, 1931, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Clifford and Edith (Trout) Bowser.
Soon after his birth, the family returned to their home in Somerset, Ohio. His mother died when he was five, so he grew up on the farm and in the home of his grandparents, Lee and Anna Bowser. In 1950, he moved with his father to Williamsport. He graduated from Williamsport High School in 1951.
After graduation, Cliff enlisted and served in the United States Air Force. He was selected to be in the Strategic Air Command. He was in one of the first groups of airmen to be trained to refuel planes while in flight. Cliff was a boom operator on a KC97.
In 1955, he returned to Williamsport and to farming. He was also a farm manager for the Dunlap Company. On May 18, 1957, Cliff married Shirley Ann Dunlap. They are the parents of Ann Essman and Lee Bowser. He retired from farming in 2000.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law and sister, Vern and Joan Ore; his in-laws, John and Ellen Dunlap; and a nephew, Ian Dunlap.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son-in-law and daughter, Mark and Ann Essman; son and daughter-in-law, Clifford Lee and Stephanie Bowser; grandchildren, Ellen, John and Lizzie Essman, Ginny Bowser and Liam, Jack and Miles Bowser; honorary grandchildren, Alyssa Lamb, Cody Cooper and Matt Gantner; sisters-in-law, Gail Dunlap and Charoula Dontopoulos; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Susan Dunlap; nephews and nieces, David Ore, Dan Ore, Sam Dunlap, Zachary Dunlap, Amelia Minerd and Jennifer Williams; and a cousin, Jerry Kapp.
Cliff was a member of the Williamsport United Methodist Church and the American Legion. He was also a 60-year member of Heber Lodge #501 F & AM. He was a 32nd Degree Mason.
Cliff loved the farm, fishing and his horses; however, he cherished his wife of 58 years, his family and friends the most. He leaves a rich legacy of love to his family.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016, at his residence, 7720 US 22 West, Williamsport. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Williamsport United Methodist Church, 108 Church St., Williamsport.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pickaway County Community Foundation, PO Box 3, Circleville, 43113.
Wellman Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
