William L. Cowan Sr., had colorful career
William L. Cowan Sr., 87, of Lewes died July 1, 2019. He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Nov. 24, 1931, and attended school there until Nov. 24, 1948, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
Bill attended basic training, aviation electronics and radio operator’s schools in San Diego and San Ysidro, Calif. After this training, he reported to Composite Squadron Five at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California where he flew as a crew member in the AJ-1 Savage, the Navy’s first carrier-based atomic bomber. During this tour Bill served at Moffett Field, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va., Naval Air Stations in Jacksonville and Sanford, Fla., as well as Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey in French Morocco and various ports in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.
In 1954 he was transferred to NAS Alameda, Calif., where he flew as radio operator in the Navy’s version of the Douglas DC-3 and Douglas DC-4. After this tour, he went back to NAS Jacksonville and served in Heavy Attack Squadron One, flying in the A-3 Skywarrior, a twin engine jet, carrier-based, atomic bomber, serving in the Mediterranean again during the Suez crisis.
In 1960 Bill was transferred to the Advanced Aviation Electronics School in Memphis, Tenn., where he was selected for a commission as an ensign. After his commissioning, he reported to NAS Pensacola and was designated as a Naval Flight Officer and assigned to Patrol Squadron Five at NAS Jacksonville. During this tour in Patrol Squadron Five, Bill served in Rota, Spain, Keflavik, Iceland, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
Also during this tour he was stationed in the Mercury Control Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., with the offshore recovery forces during the first manned space flights during Project Mercury. Bill also was the navigator on a P2-V Neptune Patrol aircraft that intercepted a Russian ship inbound to Cuba at the onset of the Cuban Quarantine.
In 1964 he was ordered to report to Naval Facility Lewes where he served as executive officer until 1968.
Bill was then transferred to Patrol Squadron Eighteen at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico as a naval flight officer flying in the P2 Neptune. Due to budget constraints, this squadron was decommissioned and he was transferred to Patrol Squadron Twenty Four at NAS Patuxent River, Md., flying as an anti-submarine tactical coordinator in the Navy P3 Orion.
The Cowan family moved back to Lewes, and he commuted to Patuxent by auto and his Aeronca Champ airplane. During this tour he served in Rota and Keflavik, and was promoted to lieutenant commander.
After this tour, Bill was transferred to the Naval Air Systems command where he served as project engineer on an anti-submarine detection, designed to locate submarines in the Mediterranean Sea.
In June 1971, Bill retired to Lewes and was active as a realtor with Anderson-Stokes Real Estate Company, serving as broker/manager of offices in Lewes, Ocean City, Bethany and Rehoboth. In 1974, he purchased the Western Auto store on Lewes Beach from then-mayor, Al Stango, which he operated until 1979 when he sold it. Bill then went to work with the Williams Insurance Agency in Rehoboth Beach as a commercial lines producer until he retired in 1999. He was retired for four years and then accepted a position as a sales agent with RE/MAX Real Estate in Lewes.
Bill was an avid golfer and member and past president of Shawnee Country Club, where he was instrumental in converting Shawnee from a 9- to 18-hole course. He was a past president of the Delmarva Golf Association, former vestryman, junior and senior warden of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, a 32nd Degree Mason member of Jefferson Lodge 15 AF & AM in Lewes, and a life member of the Retired Officers Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bill truly loved his family, the game of golf, his Arby’s pals, the Navy, and his poodle, Bella.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Morris and Agnes Cowan; and his aunt Florence Howell. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marlys (Coffin); his daughters: Michelle Roenke (Peter) and Jill Stevens; his son, William Cowan Jr. (Jeannette); his grandchildren: Maggie Thompson (Josh), Pierson Roenke, Alexandra Roenke, and Sarah Stevens; and his great-grandchildren: George and Maisie Thompson.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m., at St. Peter's Church, 2nd Street, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 1 p.m. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Bill's memory to the Lewes Lions Club, PO Box 791, Lewes, DE 19958, or to a charity of your choice.
Please visit Bill's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
