John Willard (Bill) Stowers, Jr. was born on March 28, 1932 to John Willard Stowers, Sr. and Willie Hamilton Stowers in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He passed away on Friday, February 14th of natural causes.

Services will be Monday, February 17,  at Inverness United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 1 PM with funeral services following at 2 PM. Burial will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Inverness Lions Club.

Bill was an accomplished farmer who moved to Inverness in 1947 with his parents and younger brother, James Hamilton Stowers, where they farmed J.W. Stowers and Company. The 1950 Inverness High School graduate spent two years at Mississippi State University before joining the United States Army serving in the 7 ^th Army Honor Guard.

After his service, Bill returned to the family farm, and married the late Mollie Frances Herring in 1956. They had four children, John Willard Stowers III (Margaret), Mollie Elizabeth  BETH Stowers Callahan (Dodge), William Paul Stowers (Sandra) and Mark Herring Stowers (Laura). He leaves eight grandchildren , Jennifer Stowers and John Willard (JW) Stowers IV (Angelena), Amanda Stowers Williams (Patrick), William Paul Stowers Jr. (Erin), Tiffany Mitchell Martin ( Kevin), Morgan Callahan (Lena) and Alexandra Grace Stowers and Anna Faith Hamilton Stowers. He also leaves a multitude of great grandchildren who can quickly yell, "Calf rope!"  when needed.

Over the years, Bill successfully farmed cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat, milo and catfish but it was his love of the outdoors that framed his life in the Mississippi Delta. The avid fisherman and hunter was a co-founder of Cordy Brake Hunting Club. He enjoyed every aspect of hunting and fishing from reloading ammunition to tying crappie jigs.

A dedicated Lions Club Member for 65 years, Bill was a mainstay at fundraising events over the years. He also was a profound blood donor as he donated more than 21 gallons over the years where records were kept. Bill helped cook the Inverness First United Methodist Church's annual Brunswick Stew  for years.

A disciplined man of few words, a practical joker, expert marksman, hunter, fisherman, husband, father and dad and grandad – Bill Stowers.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net