This is the first time I have seen my dad “alive” since he died. I haven’t had the heart or strength to look at his pictures or any video of him… until now. I saved all of his personal effects in an effort to stay connected with him. Once we realized fires are a real threat here in California, I decided to scan in all his photos, post cards, cards, and employment history and everything is now stored safely in a fire proof storage box. He didn’t get the chance to tell his story so I am going to tell mine and his. He lived a fulfilling life for most of his 57 years and it made me really happy to see that he did live life despite the fact that my mother alienated him from his kids. I’ll talk more about this in a book. The saddest part about him getting sick and cancer killing him at such a young age is he missed the chance to experience his kids the way it should have been since Day 1. We were making up for lost time before he got sick and it was devastating to lose the father we finally got back again. But it feels good to talk about this and express the grief and sadness instead of sitting here alone with it like I have for the past quarter of a century. It’s healing to share our story.
Related Links:
William R. Stowell Memorial Site on Instagram
William R. Stowell Graduated Third Honors from Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine (1962)
William R. Stowell Graduated from the University of Maine Orono with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering (1968)
William R. Stowell Designed Railroad Crossing on Nuclear Carrying Rail for Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California (1985)
William “Billy” Stowell Playing Guitar with a Local Band on Mollyockett Day in Bethel, Maine – Video by Mike Stowell (1991)
“My Last Visit with Bill” by Peter Stowell (2001)
Jennifer and Lee 