PORTLAND — William H. “Bill” Bowman died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 16, at the Maine Medical Center.

Bill was born in Paterson, N.J., Oct. 7, 1920, the son of John Hall and Agnes (Wilson) Bowman and was the youngest of their seven children. His early education was at the Collegiate School followed by Lawrenceville and finishing at “Kiski” in Saltsburg, Pa. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of an anti-aircraft crew and saw action in Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Following his discharge from service, he married Jane Whalen on June 1, 1946, and together they had three children, Marci, John and Gail. Initially living in Waldwick, N.J., the family moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind., before settling in Allendale, N.J., where they resided until 1979 when they retired to Paris.

For most of his professional life, he was employed by the Nytronics Corporation. Starting out as a purchasing agent, he eventually was a division manager both at Kutztown, Pa., and Darlington, S.C. He also held several patents. In 1972, he began working as a computer programmer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, at the World Trade Center in NYC. After a major heart attack, he decided to retire saying “Life is too short.” This led to he and his wife moving to Paris Hill in 1979. Although officially retired, he did work for a number of years as the relief postmaster at the Paris Hill Post Office.

His retirement was filled doing the things he loved to do. An avid golfer, he enjoyed many rounds at Norway CC especially those with his daughter, Gail during Scotch Foursomes. He served on their Board of Directors and for many years prior to the GHIN system he did all of the handicapping by hand.

Bridge was another pastime and he enjoyed playing both in local leagues as well as competing in tournaments statewide. He also taught Bridge for the Oxford Hills Adult ED. And also at the YMCA. An Amateur Radio enthusiast, N1APN (his call letters), he was a member of the Streaked Mountain Relay League and volunteered his services for many road races and Civil Defense drills.

In his later years, genealogy became his passion, doing research on the Loder side of the Bowman family. At the time of his death, he had verified over 6,000 direct descendent connections, a feat he accomplished by communicating with people all over this country and the world in general.

At 92, he continued to be a remarkable individual and will be deeply missed by his daughters, Marci and Gail, but they both find solace in the fact that he has been reunited with his beloved wife, Jane and son, John, who predeceased him as well as his parents, brothers and sisters and especially his sister, Vinnie (Bowman) Jenness.

He is survived by his daughters, Marci of Paris, Gail and husband, Dave, of Norway and Bonita Springs, Fla.; grandchildren, Joad, Arianne and Megan; as well as eight great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, all of whom he enjoyed communicating with.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.