Nov 17, 2012

William Walter McGowan, 61, of Eighty Four, Somerset Township, passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, November 15, 2012, in his home, of an aortic aneurysm.

He was born February 15, 1951, in Monongahela Memorial Hospital, a son of Ruth Rippel McGowan of Eighty Four and the late Roy N. McGowan, who passed away in June 1979.

Mr. McGowan was a 1969 graduate of Bentworth High School and attended California University of Pennsylvania, until he had a farm-related accident.

Active in dairy and beef farming his entire life, he was a fourth-generation farmer in the Eighty Four area.

Mr. McGowan was a member of Eighty Four 4-H, active from the time he could join in all aspects of farming – dairy, beef, pigs, capons – and he loved every aspect of farming.

He and his brother, Bruce, operated the dairy industry, disbursing the dairy herd several years ago, but maintained the beef herd as of today.

Mr. McGowan was a member of Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, Eighty Four, where he served as an elder and was superintendent of Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Cemetery for 26 years, retiring several years ago.

He was a member of 84 Advisory Council of Washington County Farm Bureau and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. He also served on the Agway Committee and Farm Service Agency.

Mr. McGowan was very pleasant, always smiling and had a most wonderful memory.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, is a brother, Bruce E. McGowan, who resides on the family farm.

Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, November 19, with the Rev. John Pipp, a cousin of Mr. McGowan, officiating. Interment will follow in Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, 45 Church Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.