Bill Bowes

Bill was known for his work ethic, integrity, ability to make friends, ability to lead and undying commitment to the mottos of his life—"service over self" and Acta Non Verba ("actions, not words"). An "army brat" son of one of General MacArthur's commanders, Bill moved frequently in his youth. Despite these moves, he was always able to make fast friends with his new classmates, as evidenced by his election as high school Class President in the final of 3 high schools he attended.

After high school, Bill earned a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point), where he spent his junior year touring the world by sea and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard license as Third Mate, and a Naval Reserve commission as Ensign. A chance weekend invitation for a home-cooked meal from one of Bill's classmates resulted in Bill meeting that classmate's sister and Bill's future wife, Barbara, who became the love of his life. Bill liked to joke that he ended up paying for that "free meal" from his future in-laws the rest of his life. Bill and Barbara were married in the chapel at Kings Point. 

His hard work, financial support and charitable efforts on behalf of Kings Point earned Bill many accolades and awards, including the Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Personal Achievement Award and the Daniel E. Meehan Humanitarian Service Award, as well as having a classroom named in his and a classmate friend's honor.

Soon after his arrival in Houston in the late '60s, Bill left an indelible mark on the North Shore community through his leadership of and fundraising for the North Shore YMCA, his role as President of the North Shore Civic Association, his involvement with the North Channel Chamber of Commerce & Elks Club and, most notably, his involvement with the North Shore Rotary Club, whose members he viewed as his brothers and sisters.

Bill put his Kings Point experience and education to work as a ship and cargo surveyor—first in Manhattan and ultimately in Houston. In normal fashion, Bill earned the trust and admiration of the owner of the company that brought Bill to Texas and who eventually sold the company to Bill, Capt. Ira S. Derrick. Bill grew the company to have satellite offices in Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans and Chicago. Hundreds of millions of dollars of ship and rail borne cargo was inspected by Bill's company. Bill's professional reputation earned him many unique opportunities, including overseeing the packing for transport of a multi-million-dollar suit of ancient armor that was on display at Neiman Marcus, but the most cherished part of Bill's career was being mentor and a second father and friend to many of his employees over the years.

Bill had a more active charitable and social calendar than most people half his age. Literally until the day he was hospitalized, he remained active in his community, including with the North Shore Rotary Club, serving as the club's President last year at 81, a marshal at Eagle Pointe Golf Course, a board member on North Channel Water District, a member of the Scottish Rite (32° Master Mason), a board member on Mont Belvieu's Planning and Zoning Commission and a board member of the Kings Point Alumni Association. Bill's almost 42 years of Rotarian work earned him many honors, including that of "Major Donor" with Rotary International. Bill was most proud of his efforts to help grow a faith-based clergy certification program in prisons, which resulted in a material decrease in prison violence and recidivism rates. Bill was also an inactive Lieutenant in the Navy Reserves.

Bill's greatest joy was family and friends. Bill's strongest advocate and most sarcastic life partner was his wife of over 43 years, Barbara. Bill was Barbara's biggest supporter as she pursued her law enforcement license, real estate license and an almost 20-year career working for Houston area Congressmen (Jack Fields and Gene Green). Bill participated in that Congressional relationship by serving many years as Chair of Congressman Field's Service Academy Nomination Board, responsible for recommending young men and women for limited appointments to the various U.S. military and maritime academies, including Kings Point. 

After his wife Barbara passed, Bill continued to be a mainstay at family functions, whether holidays, birthdays, family trips to his ranch or spontaneous family dinners, and he rarely missed his grandkids' many activities. He also loved to travel the world to see family and friends.

 William P. ("Bill") Bowes, Sr. passed away on March 28, 2020, at the age of 82 years