Funeral Service for Mr. Billy Joe Gowan, age 90 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 3:00pm at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Gowan was born on October 7, 1929 to the late Hiram Maxie and Mary Margaret Mansfield Gowan in Lincoln County, TN. Billy Joe passed away on August 25, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. He was native of Lincoln County who owned and operated Gowan Shell Service for forty years. He was a member of the Fayetteville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Billy Joe is survived by his loving daughter, Gloria Hall; granddaughter, Kim McWhirter; great-granddaughters, Katie Gowan McWhirter and Jessica Lin McWhirter; and sister, Christine (Hilton) Sullivan; and his wonderful caregivers, Betty Monks, Barbara Pearson, Betty Bradford, and Faye and Johnny Dollar who all shared a special love with him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife of sixty one years, Jean Daves Gowan; son-in-law, Bobby Hall; and sister Maxine (Richard) Thornton.
Visitation with the family will be Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 12pm to 3pm at Higgins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association 309 North Jackson Street, Suite 1, Tullahoma, TN 37388 or the Bobby Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First National Bank, 405 College Street West, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Billy Joe Gowan.
In accordance with State of Tennessee Executive Order issued by Governor Bill Lee, social gatherings are limited to no more than 50 participants. For your safety we recommend face coverings, 6 feet social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and remaining home if you feel sick. The family invites you to share memories at higginsfh.com.
35 Comments To "Billy Joe Gowan"
#1 Comment By Nancy Woods On August 26, 2020 @ 4:56 pm
So sorry to hear bout billy joe and my prayers go out to Gloria and all the family
#2 Comment By Wanda Williams On August 26, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
Gloria, and family, We’re so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was so good to people in Lincoln County and made a great mark on this community. May you find comfort and peace in the days ahead and let your sweet memories overflow at this time. Our love, Wanda and Bob Williams and Naomi Wallace
#3 Comment By Nanette Taylor On August 26, 2020 @ 5:17 pm
Gloria, I am so sorry for your loss. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
#4 Comment By Danny & Brenda Wallace On August 26, 2020 @ 5:27 pm
We are sorry to hear of Billy Joe’s passing. He was a good man who always took time to say something to make you feel good. I was glad to know him and his family. Our sincere condolences to Gloria and family
#5 Comment By Lenace Hyde On August 26, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
Mrs. Gloria and Kim,
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad and grandad. Hold all your precious memories close . Prayers for you and your family at this time.
Love ,
Lenace
#6 Comment By Paula Pitts On August 26, 2020 @ 5:51 pm
Gloria and Kim So sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
#7 Comment By Edward & Vera Campbell On August 26, 2020 @ 6:00 pm
Gloria, I was saddened to read about Billy Joe. You know we always thought the world of him. I will always remember his smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
#8 Comment By Denise & Rickey Smith On August 26, 2020 @ 6:15 pm
our thoughts and prayers go out to you Gloria..we are so sorry for your loss. may GOD give you comfort during this most difficult time.
#9 Comment By Judy warren On August 26, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
Sending prayers for all the family!
#10 Comment By Dean Slayton On August 26, 2020 @ 6:37 pm
Gloria, I am so sorry for your loss. Enjoy you sweet memories of your dad. I know he was loved and cherished by many.
#11 Comment By Jimmy and Janice Towry On August 26, 2020 @ 7:17 pm
Gloria and family, you have our deepest sympathy in your loss. Our prayers are for your comfort and peace during this time.
#12 Comment By Judy Stafford On August 26, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
Gloria,Kim and Family, I’m so sorry to hear about Billy Joe. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
#13 Comment By Sandy Bradley Gates On August 26, 2020 @ 7:25 pm
Gloria I am so sorry for your loss. You have been such a good daughter and your dad was so proud of you and Kim. Both of your parents were special and I’m glad i knew them
#14 Comment By Dennis Eddins On August 26, 2020 @ 7:28 pm
Sorry to hear about Mr. Billy Joe. He was a friend of my step father. My fondest memory of him was that he gave me a full tank of gas to return to school. May he rest in peace. He was well liked.
#15 Comment By Bubba On August 26, 2020 @ 11:18 pm
Gloria , your father was so respected by everyone for the concern and care he showed each individual whatever their situation in life was.
He will always have a special place in my life.
#16 Comment By Anne Beddingfield On August 27, 2020 @ 6:05 am
I extend my deepest sympathy to you. My heart is broken for you all. Prayers for peace and comfort.
#17 Comment By Barbara Faulkner On August 27, 2020 @ 8:56 am
Praying for God’s comfort during this difficult time of grief for family.
#18 Comment By Ronnie snd Eloise Hudgins On August 27, 2020 @ 9:09 am
Gloria and Kim so sorry to learn of your dad and grandad’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
#19 Comment By Patricia and Jerry Reese On August 27, 2020 @ 10:01 am
Prayers to the family , Gloria , Christine and all
#20 Comment By Robin Shelton On August 27, 2020 @ 12:03 pm
May the many memories of Mr. Billy Joe carry you through to brighter days. My mother and Clyde loved him so much.
#21 Comment By Judy Moyers On August 27, 2020 @ 12:07 pm
May the love of God embrace you during this time and heal the pain you feel in your heart.. He was a blessed man to have five beautiful ladies who loved him so.much.. I am sorry.
#22 Comment By Nancy Barnett Darnall On August 27, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
My parents always thought so much of Jean and Billy Joe. He shared the exact birthdate as my mother, but I doubt they knew it. It is hard to imagine Fayetteville and Lincoln County without Mr. and Mrs. Gowan. Gloria, you have my deepest condolences.
#23 Comment By Judy Holt On August 27, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
So sorry for your loss praying for the family and friends.
#24 Comment By Love, Linda Groce Ashby On August 27, 2020 @ 2:30 pm
Prayers for you, Gloria, and your family. Nobody could have been a more caring, devoted, and compassionate daughter than you! Your dad was a sweet caring man! Now he’s in the Lords company!💕😇🙏
#25 Comment By Hazel Hyde On August 27, 2020 @ 4:49 pm
Prayers for you Gloria and Kim. You two have been very devoted daughter and grand daughter. He loved you two dearly. May he Rest In Peace with the Lord.
#26 Comment By Barry Green On August 28, 2020 @ 7:01 am
Gloria and family we are sorry about your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Barry and Janice Green
#27 Comment By Bobby and Laura Bailey On August 28, 2020 @ 9:29 am
So very sorry about Mr Billy Joe..his is no longer lost and has found his way. We love you Gloria, Kim, and girls so very much. May you all find peace and comfort in the days to come..Love you sister
#28 Comment By Mary Ann Tackett On August 28, 2020 @ 3:48 pm
Gloria and family, what can I say when I say I am so very sorry about your dad. We always hate to lose those we love so dear but life has a way of leading to death and we all will cross that river. We have all lost so many that we love so dear and I am deeply sorry. You know without asking I would do anything for yall so if I am needed, please just ask.
LOVE YALL SO MUCH, MaryT
#29 Comment By Anthony & Kay Honey On August 28, 2020 @ 4:42 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort.
#30 Comment By Joe Luther On August 29, 2020 @ 9:03 am
Gloria–So sorry for your loss. Billy Joe was such a good friend to me.
Joe Luther
#31 Comment By Danny Medlen On August 29, 2020 @ 3:06 pm
Gloria, Kim and family,
You are in my prayers at this most difficult of times.
I think of him as being very kind, a true gentleman. Gloria, it was always an honor and privilege to try and help when you ask.
May God hold and love you all real close with his Devine comfort!! Love you all
#32 Comment By Sherry Norris On August 29, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
Gloria and Kim. I am so sorry for your lost. We loved BJ and Mama Jean so much. I have so many memories of our times at their house. We had so many laughs. Love Sherry and the love of James Norris
#33 Comment By Doyle and Linda Hasty On August 29, 2020 @ 7:00 pm
Gloria,
You and your family are in our prayers at this most difficult time. Billy Joe was such a joy to talk and visit with. I am proud to have your family as one of my Lincoln county families of relatives after my grandmother and mother came up to Bedford County where I was born.
It was such a delight to visit a number of years ago with Billy Joe and Jean in their beautiful home at the golf course.
I fully appreciate the fact that you gave so very much to make the end years of his life
so much more comfortable and fun. He sure enjoyed those rides and treats. We enjoyed seeing you and he at Tullahoma at Wendy’s with him on a ride.
May God‘s blessings be upon you and your family for treating your parents with the greatest respect and care.
Doyle and Linda Hasty
PS Sorry Covid virus will keep us away because I have health issue.
#34 Comment By Linda Holland On August 30, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Gloria, I am so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing . You have been a faithful and devoted caregiver to him. I will be thinking of you in the coming days and weeks.
#35 Comment By Tracey A Smith On September 3, 2020 @ 4:48 pm
Mr. Gowan. Billy Joe and my dad were great friends. I remember when I was 16 years old with no money. Billy Joe let me put car tires on credit. I paid him every week , and finally paid them off. He was a great man. I am so sorry for your loss.