Obituary for William McGowen Jr.
A Celebration of Bill's life will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 12noon - 3:00p.m. at Cantigny Park 1S151 Winfield Rd. Wheaton. All are welcome, to insure a proper invitation, please send your email address to we_care@countrysidefuneralhomes.com.
William P. McGowen, Jr., age 84, at peace with Christ, December 23, 2022. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by a sister, Suzanne Cismesia. Married 62 years to his wife Mercedes (nee Brabender), Bill is survived by four sons William P. McGowen III (Molly), Wheaton, IL., Michael J. McGowen ( Laura), Acworth, GA, Thomas C. McGowen (Jennifer), St. Charles, IL., and John A. McGowen (Debbie), Gilbert AZ.; 12 grandchildren (Drew, Rowan, Kelly, Liam, Aidan, Tally, Henry, Alyssa, Sydney, Jack, Viola Rose, and Delaney); and 5 great-granddaughters (Dalilah, Quinn, Wren, Hallie and Jocelyn).
Bill was born May 14, 1938 at Oak Park Hospital, the son of William P. and Elsie McGowen (nee Berthelsesn). He graduated from Oak Park High School, Class of 1956 and graduated cum laude from St. Mary’s College (now St. Mary’s University) in 1960. Following graduation, Bill worked as a case worker for Cook County Social Services while also attending Loyola University graduate school majoring in history. In 1963 he was hired in Chicago as a Naval Investigative Service Special Agent (now NCIS) and was transferred to the Des Moines, Iowa office in the spring of 1964. Three years later, the family relocated to Streamwood, IL when Bill was transferred to a newly-opened office at the Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, IL. in 1967. The family settled in Streamwood, IL where they still reside. In 1975, Bill accepted a position as a Special Agent with the Federal Aviation Administration Security and Hazardous Materials Division (Great Lakes Region) located in Des Plaines, IL.. He retired from the FAA in 2004, ending a 42-year career as a federal employee.
For more than fifty years, Bill was an active member of St. John the Evangelist parish in Streamwood, IL. He taught CCD classes for several years, often bringing donuts or cookies to his students. Attendance at retreats (the Abby of Gethsemani in Kentucky and New Melleray Abbey southwest of Dubuque, Iowa) were sources of spiritual renewal. He prayed the rosary often. In retirement, Bill looked forward to participating in a philosophy discussion group which met initially at Triton College and later at the Oak Park Library each month. He loved going to the family getaway home at Apple Canyon Lake—sitting on the deck listening to the wind singing in the trees and the evening frogs serenading as fireflies lit up the woods. Bill also loved taking his dog for a walk, doing New York Times crossword puzzles and reading history and philosophy books. His wry sense of humor and wisdom endeared him to those who knew and/or worked with him. A much beloved and respected man, he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make a donation in his memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611. Info (630) 289-8054.
William P. McGowen, Jr., age 84, at peace with Christ, December 23, 2022. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by a sister, Suzanne Cismesia. Married 62 years to his wife Mercedes (nee Brabender), Bill is survived by four sons William P. McGowen III (Molly), Wheaton, IL., Michael J. McGowen ( Laura), Acworth, GA, Thomas C. McGowen (Jennifer), St. Charles, IL., and John A. McGowen (Debbie), Gilbert AZ.; 12 grandchildren (Drew, Rowan, Kelly, Liam, Aidan, Tally, Henry, Alyssa, Sydney, Jack, Viola Rose, and Delaney); and 5 great-granddaughters (Dalilah, Quinn, Wren, Hallie and Jocelyn).
Bill was born May 14, 1938 at Oak Park Hospital, the son of William P. and Elsie McGowen (nee Berthelsesn). He graduated from Oak Park High School, Class of 1956 and graduated cum laude from St. Mary’s College (now St. Mary’s University) in 1960. Following graduation, Bill worked as a case worker for Cook County Social Services while also attending Loyola University graduate school majoring in history. In 1963 he was hired in Chicago as a Naval Investigative Service Special Agent (now NCIS) and was transferred to the Des Moines, Iowa office in the spring of 1964. Three years later, the family relocated to Streamwood, IL when Bill was transferred to a newly-opened office at the Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, IL. in 1967. The family settled in Streamwood, IL where they still reside. In 1975, Bill accepted a position as a Special Agent with the Federal Aviation Administration Security and Hazardous Materials Division (Great Lakes Region) located in Des Plaines, IL.. He retired from the FAA in 2004, ending a 42-year career as a federal employee.
For more than fifty years, Bill was an active member of St. John the Evangelist parish in Streamwood, IL. He taught CCD classes for several years, often bringing donuts or cookies to his students. Attendance at retreats (the Abby of Gethsemani in Kentucky and New Melleray Abbey southwest of Dubuque, Iowa) were sources of spiritual renewal. He prayed the rosary often. In retirement, Bill looked forward to participating in a philosophy discussion group which met initially at Triton College and later at the Oak Park Library each month. He loved going to the family getaway home at Apple Canyon Lake—sitting on the deck listening to the wind singing in the trees and the evening frogs serenading as fireflies lit up the woods. Bill also loved taking his dog for a walk, doing New York Times crossword puzzles and reading history and philosophy books. His wry sense of humor and wisdom endeared him to those who knew and/or worked with him. A much beloved and respected man, he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make a donation in his memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611. Info (630) 289-8054.