Mr. William Claude Bowen, age 97 of Whiteville died peacefully Saturday, June 12, 2010 at his home where he has lived for more than 70 years. Until recently he has lived alone since the death of his wife, Mary two years ago. In December 2007 they were blessed to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary with their family and friends. He was born February 1, 1913, the oldest son of the late William Columbus Bowen and Mattie Walker Bowen. He was also preceded in death by a brother and two sisters. As a lifelong member of the Union Valley community he lived to see many changes and enjoyed reminiscing about these in his later years. He often spoke about the one room school house called Happy Hill which he attended along with numerous cousins and friends. The nearby tall sawdust pile was a special source of entertainment where many happy hours were spent. This school served grades 1 through 8, had a single teacher, and also served as the community church. It stood near the present day site of Union Valley Baptist Church. A farmer for many years he once was awarded the prize for growing the largest pumpkin presented at the local county fair. He and his wife, Mary were honored as the oldest couple at the fair on several occasions. He also held several jobs in Whiteville at various times. As an original charter member of Union Valley Baptist Church he served in various positions, often preferring to work in the background in his quiet manner. He was a man of unquestionable honesty and integrity who believed in traditional Christian values. Having lived through the great depression of the 1930s he never strayed from his conservative principles. His many friends included both young and old. He is survived by three children, Bronnie Bowen and wife, Mary Ellen of Sunset Beach, Harold Bowen and wife, Kathy of Gasburg, Va., and Sonya B. Bankston and husband, Jim of Raleigh; brothers, Earl Bowen of Shallotte and David Floyd Bowen of Raleigh; he leaves 11 grandchildren, Rachel Frey and husband, Doug of Marietta, Ga., Phillip Bowen and wife, Wanda of Whiteville, Trish Inscoe and husband, Graham of Elizabethtown, Debbie Chambers of Holden Beach, Hal Bowen and wife, Teresa, Felicia Bridges and husband, Randy, David Bowen and wife, Leigh Anne all of Raleigh, Rick Keene of Laguna Beach CA, Larry Keene and wife, Mary, Michael Keene, and Robin Forcillo and husband, Richard all of Bakersfield, CA; 27 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the Parkinson Foundation, c/o The Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Inc., 880 MLK Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27414-2600 or to a favorite charity. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Worthington Funeral Home in Chadbourn. The funeral service will be conducted by Reverend Randy Bridges and Jim Bankston in the Worthington Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Interment will follow in the Union Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. No service information has been added.