OZARK…Mr. Billy J. Bowman, a resident of Ozark, died early Wednesday afternoon, September 23, 2026, at Dale Medical Center. He was 83.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 28, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Bowman, son of the late William Littlebear Bowman and Clara Bowman, was a native and lifelong resident of Ozark, a community he was proud to call home throughout his life. Over the years, he became a familiar face to many people around town, and whether through his work or simply a friendly conversation, he had a way of meeting people and making connections wherever he went.
Mr. Bowman spent many years working in Civil Service at the Fort Rucker Commissary before retiring. Retirement, however, did not mean that he was ready to slow down. He later worked for the Ozark City Schools as a bus driver, where he safely carried generations of children to and from school before retiring once again. He also worked at Walmart in Ozark as a greeter. That job seemed to fit his outgoing personality especially well because Mr. Bowman truly enjoyed talking to people. He never seemed to meet a stranger and was always willing to stop, say hello, share a story, or enjoy a good conversation.
One of the things many people will remember most about Mr. Bowman was his love for Christmas. Each year, he took great pride in decorating his yard for the Christmas season. It became something that not only his family enjoyed, but the entire community looked forward to seeing. People from Ozark and surrounding areas would drive by just to admire the decorations and enjoy the Christmas spirit he worked so hard to share. Knowing that his decorations brought smiles to children, families, friends, and even complete strangers made all the effort worthwhile. In his own special way, he helped make Christmas a little brighter for a lot of people.
Away from work and his Christmas decorating, Mr. Bowman enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved spending time with his family, and those moments meant more to him than anything. He also enjoyed fishing, where he could slow down and enjoy a peaceful day, but he was just as happy visiting and talking with the people he met along the way. Mr. Bowman was the kind of person who could strike up a conversation just about anywhere. A quick hello could easily turn into a long visit, a shared story, or a good laugh.
Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his siblings, Marie Tipler, James Bowman, Helen Brown, Voncile Senn, and Merle Blake.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Patricia Ann Taunton Bowman, Ozark; daughter, Tracy Bowman; son, Jamie Bowman, both of Grady, Alabama; sister, Betty Deitz, Ozark; two grandchildren, Hunter Bowman and Kylie Bowman; sister-in-law, Gwen Katzenbach, Ozark; nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
