William Cowley

William George Cowley, age 84, of Centerville, PA, and formerly of Houston, TX, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at St. Vincent Health Center.

He was born in Erie on September 16, 1929, son of the late Milo and Dorothy (Illig) Cowley. Bill was the oldest of ten children.

Bill helped run the family farm, and worked at GE, before he enlisted in the US Army in 1947. While serving, he studied welding, graduating in September 1948. He became a decorated veteran in the Korean War, receiving the Korean Service Medal with 4 bronze campaign stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Occupational Medal (Japan). Bill worked as an OTR truck driver at MV Irwin for thirty-three years, running in all 48 states. He enjoyed hunting, camping, traveling, listening to Classic Country music, and spending time with family. Bill will be fondly remembered by his family for being a jokester, working his crosswords, playing games on the computer, and a favorite pastime of watching game shows, especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Marie (Vogt) Cowley, who he missed dearly since her passing in 1989; a son, David Allen Cowley; and a brother, Robert Cowley.

Survivors include: a daughter Deborah L. Yost, and her husband, Roger of Pennsylvania; a son William D. Cowley and his wife, JoAnn of Texas; eight grandchildren: Christopher Cowley and his wife, Aprile; Beth Lyles and her husband, Brian; Brandy Webster and her husband, Raleigh; Michelle Devine and her husband, James; Tiffany Byrne and her husband, Jeffery; Aaron Yost and his wife, Fawn; Justin Cowley, and Kayla Cowley; eleven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He is further survived by eight siblings, their spouses, and several nieces and nephews. Bill will be missed by all and his furry Pug, Patrick.

Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home 525 East Main Street Girard, PA 16417 on Sunday from 2 to 5 PM with a memorial service immediately following in Burton’s All Faiths Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75817, Topeka, KS 66675. Burial will be private in Sterrettania Cemetery. <http://www.Burtonfuneralhome.com>