William Daniel "Bill" Bowden, age 85, passed away at his home in Higbee, Mo. February 5, 2007. He was born to Verner "Jack" and Murrel (Carter) Bowden on October 8, 1921, near Hartsburg, Mo., in Boone County. Bill was a member of the Higbee Baptist Church. Bill worked for Civilian Conservation Corps during his late teen years. He entered the U.S. Army August 1943 and served in World War II as a Mess Sgt. in the European Theatre. Bill drove for Missouri Transit Bus Lines for 16 years. He spent 18 years in California with his own Janitorial Service before retiring home to the Moberly-Higbee area in 1983. He was married to Florence Eloise Newsum June 21, 1941. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2002, celebrating over 60 years together. On January 18, 2003, he married Clara Watson who survives. Other survivors include: four daughters, Peggy & Robert Clark of Higbee, Barbara Esry of Bakersfield, Calif., Billie Sue & Robert Smith and Dani Bowden & Mike Hacnik of Madera, Calif.; one step-daughter, Carolyn & Bobby Joe Gerber of Richland, Mo.; siblings, Mary Wilson, Chester Bowden and Carol of Hartsburg and Helen Thompson of Jefferson City; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one wife and two brothers Kenneth & Charles. Services will be Friday February 9, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Million-Taylor Funeral Home in Higbee with Rev. Ron Forman, Rev. John Bill Spilman and Dr. Larry Atkins officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Ashland. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Higbee Senior Citizens Center.