Walter Charles Bowen

Walter Charles Bowen, 88, a native son of Canton, Ohio for 38 years and WWII Navy veteran went home to be with the Lord on Dec.16.

Walter was born Dec. 2, 1921 to the late Ray L. and Lillian E. Bowen of Canton, Ohio

He lived in Butte.

Walter served in the Southern Pacific during WWII and upon returning home went into the plastering business with his father where he was known for ceiling and crown moldings and he was very dedicated to his profession. He was a gifted artisan and ahead of his time.

Walter moved his family to Alaska in 1959 with much fanfare from hometown news. He settled in Eagle River and upon clearing land built The Lamp Post Inn restaurant. Walter returned to Ohio for a season before moving to Florida with his wife Helen.

He is survived by his beloved daughters Shirley Bowen White of New Mexico and Alaska, Patricia Bowen Huddleson of Butte and daughters Janet DesGranges of Arkansas and Nancy Dennis of Alaska; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers’ Earl Bowen and Richard Bowen both of Ohio and first wife Marion Bowen Pippel.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Helen Virginia of 37 years, sister Erma McNeal and brother Ray both of Ohio.

The family wrote, “Our father worked from sunup to sundown to provide for his family above and beyond the necessities of life. Walter built his own homes and dug his first basement by hand. Our father was extremely athletic, a master fabricator and possessed the ability to do whatever was needed at the moment. He was confounded in his last days by Alzheimer’s. He was our dad.”

Patricia and Shirley express “appreciation to Homestead Assisted Living and staff for their loving care of our father. Thank you.”

Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services ~ Kehl’s Palmer Chapel. www.legacyalaska.com