Billy Joe Bowers

Billy Joe Bowers, 78, of Linwood, died Tuesday, December 17th, after a period of declining health. Billy Joe was born November 9th, 1941 in Siler City, son to the late Margaret Elizabeth Buckner Bowers and Alfred Omega Bowers. He graduated from Silk Hope High School.  He went on to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Guilford College, graduating in 1978. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary “Sis” C. Bowers of the home; son Benjamin J. Bowers (Erin) of High Point; daughter, Laura B. Stewart of Lexington; four grandchildren: Martha Glenn Bowers, Helen Fite Bowers, Eli Craig Stewart, and Lily Jayne Stewart; brother James “Jim” Bowers (Faye) of High Point; and nephew Chris Bowers of High Point. Billy Joe was mostly an ordinary Joe, except to his four grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as “Papa Joe” –a name he wore with pride for the last 12 years.  BJ Bowers, known also as Joe Bowers, had a 30-year career as a North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper. After retiring from the Highway Patrol, he worked a twelve-year stint as a security guard at PPG, followed by ten years driving a charter bus for Holiday Tours. His proudest moment as a charter bus driver was when he took part in the evacuation of thousands of people from the New Orleans Superdome in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Spain during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of the Linwood Lions Club, Masonic Lodge 473, and Linwood United Methodist Church, where he served on several boards and committees. BJ was proud of accolades he received during his lifetime, including being named Linwood Lions Club Lion of the Year and Lexington Area Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.  The family will receive friends and guests at a visitation at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 21st, at Linwood United Methodist Church in Linwood at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Charles Lindquist and the Rev. Dr. Lynne Blankenship Caldwell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to “Give a Kid a Christmas” c/o NC Highway Patrol, 2314 S. Main St., Lexington, NC 27292 or to Linwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 82, Linwood, NC 27299.