William “Joe” Charles Bowley passed away on March 2nd, 2023. Joe was born on November 12th, 1936 to Alfred “Red” and Ina Bowley in Aberdeen, WA. Joe was raised in Grays Harbor and graduated from Hoquiam, Class of 1956. He was a proud Grizzly “South Paw” from the “North End”.

Joe and Betty were married in June of 1966. Later in life, they bought a second home in Spokane to spend more time in the spring visiting their many grandchildren.

While in school, Joe attended Hearing and Speech Therapy, although he was deaf he was an excellent lip reader. Joe played many intramural sports from his youth to high school and was a baseball letterman for Hoquiam. He was a Grizzly at heart and loved watching his Bobcat grandsons play whatever sports they were in.

Joe worked at Grays Harbor Veneer from 1957 to 1995 when they closed the business. Joe attended Grays Harbor Community College after the mill shutdown. Along with sports, Joe was also an avid commercial clam digger and loved recreational digging. Joe was a past president of the Hoquiam Eagles. He spent lots of time reading scriptures.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Alfred “Red” Bowley and Ina Lesher Bowley; and sister Barbara Quimby. He is survived by his wife Betty Silva Bowley; son Joe Bowley; daughter Lea (Sage) Bowley Williamson; grandchildren Joseph, Grant (Mirabel), Madison, Levi, Everett (Virginia), Zack, Sophia, Sebastian, and Samuel; and great-grandchildren Emiliano, Layla Rose, Esme, and Odeya.

A private service is being planned for Joe at a later date.