Wayne Kay Bowden

Wayne K. Bowden, 85, of Milo, died Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with his children by his side. He was born November 12, 1922 in Brigham City, Utah, the son of Alma Henry and Myrtle Danielson Bowden. He was the third of seven children growing up in Dayton, Idaho, and attending Weston High School. He served in the 63rd Infantry of the U.S. Army during WWII in Italy, France and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945. On June 5, 1942, he married the love of his life, Vera Williams, in the Logan LDS Temple. They had six children. Over the years they lived in many places including San Francisco, California; Preston, Idaho Falls and Ammon, Idaho before eventually settling in Milo in 1957. During their last years together Wayne devoted his life to caring for Vera when her health began to fail. He worked as a welder and a plumber, retiring from the Plumber and Pipefitter Local 648 in 1985. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held various callings and especially enjoyed serving as a home teacher. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He always had a smile and joke to share and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, spending time with family, taking walks with his grandchildren, and sitting under his apple tree. He always kept busy over the years creating many gadgets and novelty items that he loved to share with friends, family and even strangers. Wayne was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and in his later years he received tremendous joy from the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; three brothers Mazel, Don, and Vernal, one sister, Laurene, and a grandson, Derek Bowden. He is survived by his children: Kenneth (Karen) Bowden of El Cajon, California; Vicki England of Wellton, Arizona; Kathy Simonds of Idaho Falls; Debra (Cliff) Rogers of Everett, Washington; Julie (Craig) Stephenson of Blackfoot; and Gary (Nicki) Bowden of Idaho Falls; and sisters Cleo Thompson of Burley and Clara Johnson of Roy, Utah; twenty-two grandchildren and thirty-three great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the Foothill (Milo) LDS Chapel with Bishop Vern Bowden officiating. The family will meet with family and friends Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Foothill (Milo) LDS church and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Milo Cemetery in Milo, Idaho, with Military Rites from the Jefferson Veterans team, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel of Rigby.