Billy L. Bowden, 82, of Hallieford, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

A native of Cape Charles, Virginia, he graduated from Cape Charles High School in 1951 and Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in 1957. He also served in the Virginia Army National Guard, 111th Artillery, 5th Missile Battalion. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding as an Engineering Supervisor and Master Shipbuilder on Nov. 30, 1993, after 42 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, B. Frank and Mildred Bowden, and his brother, George.

After retirement, Billy worked for seven years as an independent contractor for several engineering companies, providing engineering and design services to Newport News Shipbuilding. He was a commissioner on the Mathews County Planning Commission and on the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, and was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. He was also a member of Mathews Baptist Church. 

Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn “Joy” Bowden; two daughters, Gwendolyn Fee and her husband Scott of Gloucester, and Jeanne Price and her husband Floyd of Hampton; three grandsons, Caleb Fee of Gloucester, Jesse Campbell of Hampton, and Cody Fee of Ft. Lewis, Washington, and three great-grandsons, Devin, Austin and Jaxon Fee of Gloucester. 

A graveside service, conducted by the Rev. Brian Kramer and Pastor Werlie Hendrix, was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Windsor Gardens Cemetery & Mausoleum located on Windsor Road (State Route 3) between John Clayton Memorial Highway (State Route 14) and Buckley Hall Road (State Route 198) in Mathews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Virginia 23109 or the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Virginia 23109.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Mathews, assisted the Bowden family.