Hundreds visit labor union hall to pay respects to UAW leader
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LORDSTOWN -- If the United Auto Workers Local 1112 Union Hall or the union itself had a personality, it would be Bill Bowers, said Frank Martin during the funeral for Bowers on Saturday afternoon at the union hall.
It was the first time anyone could remember a viewing taking place at the hall on Reuther Drive, and Martin said it would probably be the only time.
William "Bill" Bowers, a longtime UAW leader, died Jan. 28 at his home in Howland following complications of COVID-19, at the age of 76.
On Saturday, more than 100 UAW retirees, family members and friends gathered in the hall to pay him tribute. Bowers' brother-in-law, Pete DeAngelo, estimated some 1,500 people passed through during the three-hour visitation before the service, and people started lining up an hour before it was scheduled to start.
DeAngelo said Bowers was a "staunch, staunch union person," who believed in labor rights and buying American and mentored many members of UAW Local 1112.
Bowers had a long career at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex, during which time he also served continuously in various elected positions in UAW Local 1112, including as president from 1985 to 1994.
He then was appointed as staff representative for the benefits section of the UAW International Union in Detroit. After retiring in 2002, Bowers was elected Retiree Chapter chairperson for Local 1112 and was appointed Retiree Region 2B chairperson, serving Ohio and Indiana.
"He was probably one of the smartest people I knew in benefits. Obviously that's why the International snatched him up," said Jim Graham, who served as UAW Local 1112 president a short time after Bowers.
Graham said Bowers was his "teacher" and helped him after he was elected president, often calling to check on him.
"He was just that type of guy," Graham said. "He had a rough exterior. He was 6-foot-5 and around 300 pounds, but he was just a nice man."
Glenn Johnson, UAW president from 2012 to 2018, called Bowers "an amazing talent."
"So sharp, and in the same breath polite and humble," Johnson said.
Martin, who also held several leadership roles at UAW, said Bowers, his best friend, helped anyone who walked through the doors of Local 1112, and always had the best intentions for the union.
When Martin spoke during the service, he said he would miss Bowers' sense of humor, bringing laughter to the room as he shared some of Bowers' jokes and stories.
Bowers also was remembered as a remarkable husband to his wife, Della, and father to his children, Neil Bowers, Scott Bowers, Dane Cooper and Krista Bowers Hay.
Per Bowers' wishes, the service was closed by the playing of Frank Sinatra's "My Way."
Afterwards, Bowers' sister, Judy Christensen, paused to look at a large framed photo of Bowers on display. Martin had said that was his favorite photo of Bowers, because he was walking and "you could tell he was on a mission to help someone."
Christensen said, "We're going to miss him a lot."
avugrincic@tribtoday.com