Walter Allen Bowermaster

Walter Allen “Hoolie” Bowermaster, 81, of Hartford, Illinois passed away at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2013 at St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton. His life on the river began when he was born February 29, 1932, one of fifteen children to the late James William and Flossie Mae (Brown) Bowermaster on a two room houseboat on the White River in Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas. He married Bettie (Overbey) Bowermaster on July 31, 1952 in East Alton. On the day of their wedding, he received his notice to serve his country and proudly served with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was raised on the river throughout his early years and had worked over 50 years on the river, retiring in 1992 from Harrahs Gaming in Joliet, Illinois as a towboat captain licensed for all inland waterways. He had followed the paths of many family members and many family members and younger generation followed in his paths of the river. He enjoyed his early days of hunting and fishing and had worked as a commercial fisherman. He was the former owner and operator of Hartford Ribs and Hoolies Delmar in Hartford. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge over 30 years and belonged to the Wood River Lodge #1062 and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He had a special love for old time country music, enjoyed writing and recording songs, visiting many karaoke venues and of course people listening to his singing. He will be remembered as a caring and loyal friend to all and cherished tending to his wife and family. In addition to his beloved wife of 61 years, he is survived by four children and their spouses, Vicki and Dwight Moore of Brighton, Cindi and Dennis Eppers of Pensacola, Florida, Bruce and Pauli Bowermaster of Wood River and Kelli and Jimmy Kincy of Anahuac, Texas; ten grandchildren, Ryan Schade and wife, Agnes, Moriah Meisenheimer and husband, Jim, Shannon Moore, Jessica Bowermaster, Rebecca Bowermaster, Wade Bowermaster and friend, Sarah, Emily Bowermaster, Jake Bartlett, Josh Bartlett, Krystle Farnsworth and fiancé, John Morgan; seven great-grandchildren, Annalee and Danielle Schade and Kendall and Colleen Meisenheimer, Alexis Bowermaster, Tee J Lewis Farnsworth and Sydney Morgan; his beloved cat, Bob; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and many friends. In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Pitchford Funeral Home, 2555 Vaughn Road in Wood River on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 with Reverend Charles West officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriner’s Hospital and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com