Obituary
Mr. Walter Billy "Bill" Dowis, age 87, of Brookwood Drive, Lavonia, passed away Saturday morning June 2, 2018 at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville.
Born August 17, 1930, in Franklin County, he was a son of the late Thomas Jefferson Dowis and Flora Beatrice (Lankford) Dowis. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served during the Korean War, earning two purple hearts. He worked as a brick mason for many years. In 1971 he became owner/operator of the Goldmine Truck Stop for nearly 10 years. After retiring he enjoyed traveling all over America, Alaska and Europe. Mr. Dowis was a member of the Lavonia First Baptist Church, the Lavonia Lodge #241 F&AM, Yaarab Shrine Temple, Lavonia VFW Post 5897, and American Legion Post 92.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years: Betty Ann (McDuffie) Dowis; son-in-law: Edward Whonic; sister: Sarah Walters; and brothers: Wallace Dowis, Harold Dowis, Jim Dowis, Bob Dowis, Paul Dowis, and Yank Dowis.
He is survived by his daughters: Gail Whonic, Nancy Lineback and husband, Charles, and Debbie Robinson and husband, Roger; grandchildren: Leslie & Blake Thompson, Chase & Abbey Lineback, Lee Whonic, Matthew & Jenny Robinson and Kelly Whonic and husband Jacob Sullivan; and great-grandchildren: Reid and Hayes Thompson, Charlie Lineback, and Caleb and Lillie McGee.
The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018 at the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia with Dr. Larry Finger and Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Cryptside service will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens – North with Rev. Chris Chitwood officiating. Military Honors and Masonic Rites will be presented. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lavonia Masonic Lodge # 241 or the Lavonia First Baptist Church.
Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.
Born August 17, 1930, in Franklin County, he was a son of the late Thomas Jefferson Dowis and Flora Beatrice (Lankford) Dowis. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served during the Korean War, earning two purple hearts. He worked as a brick mason for many years. In 1971 he became owner/operator of the Goldmine Truck Stop for nearly 10 years. After retiring he enjoyed traveling all over America, Alaska and Europe. Mr. Dowis was a member of the Lavonia First Baptist Church, the Lavonia Lodge #241 F&AM, Yaarab Shrine Temple, Lavonia VFW Post 5897, and American Legion Post 92.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years: Betty Ann (McDuffie) Dowis; son-in-law: Edward Whonic; sister: Sarah Walters; and brothers: Wallace Dowis, Harold Dowis, Jim Dowis, Bob Dowis, Paul Dowis, and Yank Dowis.
He is survived by his daughters: Gail Whonic, Nancy Lineback and husband, Charles, and Debbie Robinson and husband, Roger; grandchildren: Leslie & Blake Thompson, Chase & Abbey Lineback, Lee Whonic, Matthew & Jenny Robinson and Kelly Whonic and husband Jacob Sullivan; and great-grandchildren: Reid and Hayes Thompson, Charlie Lineback, and Caleb and Lillie McGee.
The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018 at the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia with Dr. Larry Finger and Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Cryptside service will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens – North with Rev. Chris Chitwood officiating. Military Honors and Masonic Rites will be presented. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lavonia Masonic Lodge # 241 or the Lavonia First Baptist Church.
Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Dowis, please visit our flower store.
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Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia
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Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia
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