William Lonnie "Billy" Bowers

William Lonnie "Billy" Bowers, 87, businessman and civic leader in Brunson, died Sunday, June 30, 2019.

A visitation, memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Brunson Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and the memorial service at 11 a.m.

Mr. Bowers was born Sept. 6, 1931, in Brunson, son of the late William Edgar Bowers and Amanda Rouse Bowers. He was owner-operator for more than four decades of Bowers Auto, the business founded by his father in 1942.

Mr. Bowers loved people -- and fixing things for people. His passion in life was helping people. From his preteen years, he worked at Bowers Garage, repairing cars, trucks, tractors, lawn mowers, broken yard tools, you name it. He helped grow the business into one with a regional reputation for quality work and took over its leadership upon his father's death in 1974.

Mr. Bowers loved Brunson, making it his home for a lifetime and serving as fire chief and town councilman. He was a proud member of the Brunson Lions Club. He attended all town events possible and worked as a volunteer for the Brunson Museum. Mr. Billy was also a longtime member of the Hampton County Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Bowers had a thing for boats and was known around his beloved Paukie Island for moving about with "emphasis" with a 200-horse Mercury -- the biggest at the time.

Mr. Bowers was a key supporter of his son Bill's campaigns and public service over Bill's two decades in the S.C. House of Representatives.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah Terry Bowers of Brunson; his first wife, Betty Jean Hubbard Wall and their son, William Knight "Bill" Bowers of Brunson; a sister, Ida Bowers Harter of Brunson; two step-grandchildren, Brad Broxton of Beaufort and Gregg Broxton of New York; a devoted employee and lifetime friend, Marion Roberts; two nieces, Martha Merritt of Clermont, Ga., and Olivia Young of Bluffton; and a nephew, Lee Harter of Orangeburg. He was predeceased by a stepson, James "Cleby" Broxton.

Arrangements are being handled by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton.

Memorials may be made to Brunson Lions Club, P.O. Box 73, Brunson S.C. 29911, or Brunson Museum, P.O. Box 116, Brunson S.C. 29911 or an organization of your choice.