Submitted by: Dan Rich

William O. Cowan

June 14, 1918 - Aug. 18, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/6/2001

William O. Cowan, 83, of Butternut Road, South Bend, Indiana, died August 18, 2001, after a long illness. Mr. Cowan was born June 14, 1918, in Marcello, Ky. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in 1941. In 1952, Mr. Cowan moved to South Bend, and was employed at Oliver for four years and Studebaker for one year. After several layoffs Mr. Cowan decided to become self-employed as an Independent Trash man for 35 years. After his health failed in 1999 Mr. Cowan became a resident of Shamrock Nursing Home for nine months. Than relocated to Bellwood, Ill., to reside with his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Barbara Cowan, where he remained until his death.

Mr. Cowan was married to Mae Florence Cowan. She preceded him in death in 1996. His sons survive him, Robert Cowan (Barbara) of Bellwood, Ill., and Robert Lacy (Mary) of South Bend, IN; six grandchildren, two brothers, Ashbery Cowan of South Bend and George Cowan of Kentucky and many other relatives and friends.

A private funeral service was held at Abraham Lincoln Military Cemetery, Joliet, IL, on August 22, 2001.