Walter L. Bowie

Unexpected but wisely our Lord gently called our beloved Walter Leon Bowie to eternal rest on Thursday, May 19, 2016.  

He was born on February 17, 1924 in Washington, D.C. and was baptized on April 20, 1930 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.   

He was educated in the public schools of the District of Columbia and graduated from Phelps Vocational High School in 1941.  He joined the army on March 12, 1943 and was honorably discharged on February 29, 1946. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in the Philippines with the 1865th Engineers Aviation Battalion.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to his childhood sweetheart, Edna Henderson on December 2, 1941 and from this union was born two daughters, Marilyn Coates and Vilma Peele.

He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and retired after forty years of service. He wasn’t afraid of hard work.  He drove a cab and worked in Standard Drug store part time for many years.  After his retirement he kept many of the lawns on his block mowed and trimmed. He always kept busy.

He loved music and was a member of the Left Bank Jazz Society and for years played the bongo drums in a local band. He was a dedicated Red Skin fan and held season tickets. He loved animals and kept exotic birds and tropical fish.  

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 74 years Edna Henderson Bowie, his loving daughter Marilyn Coates (Larry), his step-sister Claudia Higgins; grandchildren Steven Coates (Christine), Kristin Coates Elam, Bryan Peele; eight great-grandchildren Jacqueline, Langston, Jackson, Mitchell & Tristan Coates; Lauren, David & Cameron Elam and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Margaret Bowie, brothers: Melvin Bowie, Joseph Smith and daughter Vilma Peele.