In Memory

Bill "Jinx" Bowie - Class Of 1962

Bill Jinx Bowie

Bill ‘Jinx’ Bowie, Aug. 13, 1943 – Feb. 1, 2011

Bill Bowie, lifelong resident of Boulder City, passed away Feb. 1, 2011.

He was born in Holyoke, Mass., on Friday, Aug. 13, 1943, earning him the lifelong nickname of “Jinx.” Bill attended Boulder City schools, graduating from Boulder City High School in 1962. He went to the University of Eastern Montana on a football scholarship and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor of science degree in education, and later earned his master’s degree.

He began his teaching career in 1967 at K.O. Knudson Junior High, and later taught at Boulder City and Basic high schools where he also enjoyed many years coaching football, track and golf. Bill continued to coach golf after his retirement in 1999. He became accomplished at building and woodworking, and loved hunting and fishing.

Bill married Elaine, his wife of 41 years, in 1969. During retirement they enjoyed traveling and making new friends, especially on the island of Kauai.

Bill is survived by his wife, Elaine; mother, Roberta Cannon; sister, Suzie; daughter, Alyssa; son, Allen; and grandchildren, Uriah, Hannah, Keenan and Frankie.

A memorial service will be held at the Boulder City Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse on Friday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bill Bowie Memorial Boys and Girls Golf Fund at Boulder City High School; or Cancer Research Donations, Mayo Clinic Department of Development, Rochester, Minn.


 
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03/18/12 08:32 AM #1    

Mike Berry (1960)

Bill McCormick

From Bill McCormick Class of 1962 and Teammate of Bill Bowie.
     I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Bill's family for your loss. The 
same goes to all his friends and classmates who knew him so well. I know that at this
service much will be said to honor Jinx as the father, husband and friend I am sure he
was. I knew "Jinx" as a kid, a teammate and a teenage friend. And, it is to that memory
that I make my comments. 
Bill Bowie or Jinx Rayner as I knew him was truly a remarkable kid. He had the "Jinx"
of being the member of an exceptional class of athletes in a small town with a legendary
football history. Jinx was truly a talented athlete. He played football, basketball and 
track. In track he was a very accomplished low hurdler and excelled. But what I
remember best about Jinx was his roles in football and basketball. He excelled at being 
there when you needed him. He was always ready. He practiced hard and played
with passion when he got his opportunities. He always cheered on his teammates. He
always smiled. And, when he got the chance to play he showed that he could have been
a star in other places. But, knowing Jinx I doubt he would have wanted it any other way.
God works in mysterious ways. Especially in death. He too often takes the very best 
of us first. Too early we think. Several years ago, our coach, and one of my best friends 
in life, Ken Andre, gave me some old films he found in his garage. I threw them in a box
in my office. Two weeks ago I found them. Curious, I pulled the old rusty can out and
without looking inside I saw it was labeled Junior year Lincoln County 61-7. Probably
no one had looked at that film in 50 years. Afterall, we weren't legends yet. I sent it off
to see if they could restore it on a DVD. Tuesday it came back. I put it on my computer
and turned it on. In 1960 Jinx, # 53, was a defensive back and my back up quaterback.
In the game I watched I played a few series and then Ken took me out and put in "Jinx".
Jinx played most of the game. He was remarkable as you will see when you watch the
film. He ran the offense like a veteran. He passed for a TD. He intercepted a pass. 
He may even have punted once. And, he continued to play defense most of the game.
Any, college coach watching that film would have thought Jinx to be a prime prospect.
But, Jinx never complained, just did his job well. And, in true Jinx fashion when our 
senior year came he focused on defense and moved aside so that a rising sophomore
named Bob Rignell could get experience as the back up quarterback. We played 28 
games together and just at the time we needed a memory of how special Jinx was
this game film shows up to remind us of his spirit.
In closing let me say that I could give numerous examples of Jinx as a friend that would
mirror the story of him as an athelete. But, you all know them. The smile, those joking
remarks, his always supportive comments and his trusting friendship were trademarks 
of my memories of Jinx. I know we all will miss him as he joins the "coach" in heaven.
My thanks to "hands" Anderson for giving my remarks today and my apologies for not
being with you in person. MAC

 

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