William Eugene Mower

William Eugene “Bill” Mower lived in the Owatonna home he built in 1973 until just two weeks before he went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He was 96 years old.

At this time, a private family memorial service is planned. Burial will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, with Military Honors. Please feel free to leave a note for his family on his tribute wall. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, has been honored with assisting the family.

Bill was born on February 15, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, to William E. Mower and Edith Mower (Cervi). He grew up with his sister, Charlotte, and excelled in athletics, competing on his high school’s varsity football, basketball, and track teams. His athletic ability earned him a football scholarship to John Carroll University, where he played for three years before being drafted into the United States Army and serving during the Korean War. After returning home from the war, Bill began a career in real estate. He married Joan Butler in 1957, and together they began a family and built a life that would span nearly seven decades of marriage. The family moved to Owatonna in 1970, where Bill worked in homebuilding and construction sales.

Bill’s Christian faith was at the center of his life. He loved studying the Bible, leading Bible studies, worshiping the Lord, and sharing his faith with others. He especially enjoyed walking the Morehouse Trail with friends, where conversations often centered on the Lord and the truths in Scripture.

Bill loved all of his family and was an especially devoted grandfather, or “Papa” as he was known. He faithfully attended his grandchildren’s athletic games, concerts, and other activities, and delighted in walking with them down the path for a stop at Dairy Queen. His kind, jovial presence, deep faith, and love for his family will be greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith Mower; his sister, Charlotte; his grandson, Nicholas Hale; and his granddaughter, Christine Mower.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan Mower; his son, William Mower, and his wife, Sara Mower, of The Villages, Florida; his daughter, Kimberly and her husband, Chuck Hale, of Owatonna; and his son, Brian Mower, and his wife, Sue, of Owatonna. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brandon (Sara) Hale, Jason (Kristen) Hale, Alica (Rick) Ernst, Jennifer (Daniel) Tremper, and Rachel (Bryan) Mower; seven great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren Kyle (Andrea) Maloney, Sarah (Jon) Palm, and four more great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Now, as he used to always say, he TRULY IS Supernaturally Divine!!