Willis "Bill" Sowers

Mr. Willis "Bill" Sowers, 84, of 130 West Greenhill Road, Mount Airy, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Sowers was born June 28, 1926, in Carroll County, VA, to the late Cana Nelson and Lou Emma Ann Willis Sowers. He was the founder of Sowers Construction Company, Inc. and was active in the business until his death. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II. Mr. Sowers was a member of the American Legion Post 123 and the VFW Post 2019. He was of the Presbyterian faith. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Lu Ann and Arlie Snider of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Willis Richard "Rick" and Judy Sowers of Cana, VA; six grandchildren, Penny Willard and her husband, Bobby, Abby Seaver and her husband Jody, Richard Sowers, John Snider, Ryan Snider and his wife, Jenna Goldstein, and Neal Snider and his wife, Natalie Sierra; three great-grandchildren, Samantha Willard, Isabella Willard, and Sylvia Felisa Snider; a sister and brother-in-law, Mavis Meredith and Grant of Fancy Gap, VA; three half-sisters and their spouses, Nora Alice and Bedford Martin of Martinsville, VA, Jo Ann and Lavern Combs of Cana, VA, and Jessie Lee Puckett of Mount Airy; two half-brothers and their spouses, Nelson and Hortense Sowers of Horse Pasture, VA, and Manuel and Ann Sowers of Roanoke, VA; two brothers-in-law, Roger Strickland and his wife, Bennice, of Fancy Gap, VA, and Jack Critz of Mount Airy; a sister-in-law, Emma Snow of Hillsville, VA; and numerous special nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Sowers was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 39 years, Carrie Mae Strickland Sowers; and two sisters, Iris Critz and Jean Gulledge. The family would like to express a "special thanks" to his special and devoted caregivers, including Angie Edwards Woodruff, Lois Edwards, Betty Snow, Bobby Willard, and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Wendell Horton and the Rev. Stewart Childress officiating. Burial will follow in the Bluemont Presbyterian Church Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 until 9:00 PM at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Bluemont Presbyterian Church, c/o Elmo McAlexander, 2406 Excelsior School Road, Laurel Fork, VA 24352; Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 123 Mount Carmel Baptist Church Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.