William A. ‘Bill’ Dowell

MONTROSE — William A. “Bill” Dowell went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose, Colo. Bill was born Dec. 18, 1941 to William A. and Hazel C. (Norman) Simmons in Denver. Hazel died giving birth to William and twin sister, Charlotte. The father, William, was killed two weeks later in a car accident, leaving the twins with no parents. The infant twins were adopted by Carl I. and Opal L. (Johnson) Dowell and have been their parents. Bill spent his childhood in Salida, Colo. and the Montrose area, graduating from Montrose High School. He went on to college at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. Bill served his country in the United States Army from 1960 to 1964. He married Louella L. Putney on Aug. 22, 1970 in Montrose, and they remained in Montrose making their home until Bill’s time of death. Bill enjoyed working with his hands, doing Lapidary work and achieving some level of craftsmanship. He also loved spending time outdoors in his rose garden or working in the yard. He enjoyed going for drives, the mountains and taking pictures. Bill was fascinated with trains and loved the game of baseball and the Colorado Rockies. Bill was employed by City Market Grocery as a checker for many years. He enjoyed working there, meeting new faces and visiting with his old friends. He was a gentle man who always had a smile for anyone. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors grateful for sharing his life include wife, Louella Dowell of the family home; son, Keith Dowell and wife Kellie; daughter, Denise Dowell, all of Montrose; niece, Susie Patterson, nephew, Ray England, both of Las Vegas, Nev. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and twin sister, Charlotte in 1980. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, in memory of Bill Dowell, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service in celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Montrose Christian Church with Pastor Paul Nystrom officiating and Carma Grimes as vocalist and pianist. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colo.