William R. Dow
“Bill”
Bill passed away on May 11, 2021, at his home in Eagle, ID after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, with his wife Karen by his side.
Bill, and his twin sister, were born on February 21, 1943 in New Haven, CT. They were adopted, shortly after birth, by their parents Harold and Mabel (Meeker) Dow.
Bill lived in North Haven, CT until his enlistment in the Navy in 1960. His nine years of service as a Fire Control Technician included deployments that included the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Gemini 11 rescue as well as two tours in Vietnam, where he was last stationed on the Battleship New Jersey.
After an honorable discharge, Bill went to work as a civilian for the Department of Defense at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He spent most of his career in the Combat Systems department working on weapons systems in support of the Navy. He retired in 1996.
Bill loved the ocean and spent as much time as possible on the water. An accomplished Captain it was on the water where he was most at peace.
He also loved animals, in particular dogs, including his beloved: Petite, Jocko, Niko, Becky and Spike.
Bill is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen Grozik Dow; his son, William Keith; sister Leigh Pond and her husband, Glen, their five children: Karen, Justin, Katie, Ali and Lindsay and their families; mother-in-law, June Grozik; sister and brother-in-law, Jan Grozik Vanderbush and Brett Vanderbush; and many friends.
Services will be Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 11:00 am at Bowman Funeral Parlor. Interment will follow with full military honors at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, in Boise, ID.
To watch the funeral service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/557833298
To watch the committal service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/558124618
To watch Bill’s video tribute, please visit: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/KZRQ85N2MYKFNNYD
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to:
American Legion Post 127: http://post127.org
Ocean Institute: http://oceaninstitute.org
Navy Memorial: http://navymemorial.org
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.
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Wendy Cahill says
May 14, 2021 at 11:19 amDear Karen, Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories. You and your family are in my prayers.
Karen Grozik Dow says
May 15, 2021 at 2:33 pmWendy, Your thoughts and prayers over these almost three years continue to mean so much. What a journey this has been for me at the same time as you have navigated your own loss with your dear Mike. I continue to believe they have met again and are sharing some Navy stories. I am so grateful for our friendship. Karen
Jasper Spence says
May 14, 2021 at 4:58 pmKaren, you and your family are in my prayers. I worked with Billy Dow several years at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He was such a character, he will be missed.
Karen Grozik Dow says
May 15, 2021 at 2:26 pmJasper, How kind of you to leave a note to me. I am happy you remember him as someone full of life. My best regards to you. Karen Grozik Dow
Jenny Evans says
May 16, 2021 at 1:35 amKaren, what a beautiful tribute. I wish my family and I could have known Bill in his prime. He was and still is so dear to us. I cherish every moment spent with him. He was always such a great man to be around. He made us all feel so special and so welcome. Watching you care for him has had a great impact on our lives. I only hope that I will show my loved ones the same empathy, respect and pure love that you did. We love you dearly. You and Bill will continue to be an important part of our family. Thank you for sharing him with us. Will will miss him terribly. Love you♥️
Jan and Brett says
May 19, 2021 at 3:34 pmWe will see you again, where the ocean meets the sky.
Fair winds and following seas, brother.
We have the watch.
DENNIS NILES says
June 1, 2021 at 11:07 amWas a pleasure to meet & work with you at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. You may be gone, but you are not forgotten. Miss all the good times we shared while attending technical training – especially Combat Systems Schools Command in Vallejo, CA. You are forever in our hearts & prayers.