Willis Hubert Bowmer

DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON SATURDAY, THE FUNERAL DETAILS HAVE BEEN CHANGED:

Funeral services will be 1 PM Friday, January 23 2026 at Bernard Ridge Church of God Russell Springs, KY.

Visitation will be 10 AM Friday, January 23 2026 at Bernard Ridge Church of God Russell Springs, KY.

Willis Hubert Bowmer, 91, Russell Springs, KY, passed from this life on Friday, January 16, 2026 of natural causes, at Fair Oaks Nursing Home. He was a gentle, kind, faithful husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. We affectionately called him “Pa”.

He was born, at home, in a log cabin on the family farm, located on Stephens Ridge Road, Russell County, KY, Tuesday February 13, 1934 to John Ira Bowmer and Erma Lee Stephens Bowmer.

Preceding him in death, were his parents, his first wife, Mescal Sue Black Bowmer of 48 years, and a son-in-law, Dennis Richard Wilson, all of Russell Springs, KY.

Survivors are, current wife, Elke Bowmer, daughter Candace “Candy” Wilson both of Russell Springs, KY, grandson, Christian Anthony Mach (Tina), Okeana, OH, great-granddaughter, Emily Grace Mach, Lancaster, KY, two step-sons, Charles Willard (Jennifer) and Joseph Willard (Susan), five step-grandchildren - Alexander, Kierstyn, Olivia, Meredith and Grayson Willard all of Russell Springs, KY. Nieces, nephews, adopted sisters and brothers, and many cousins in KY and OH will miss him sorely.

Hubert grew up in Russell County, and attended a two room school, Bernard, through the 8 th grade. Then following in his dad’s footsteps, at 13, he began working on road construction as a water boy. He dedicated 64 years working on road construction helping to build most of the major highways in KY. During those years he learned to operate every piece of heavy equipment on the job. He was well known by every company he worked for as the finest finish man on road work. He worked all over KY then into TN and W VA, making life long friends from the many jobs he worked on. He and his dad worked on the Wolf Creek Dam; his dad on the construction and he worked twice on the repairs. He loved his work and picked up the hobby of talking on the CB radio where he was fondly known as “The Shovelman”.

After Hubert retired, he spent almost every morning drinking his coffee and chatting with his CB friends. Those who knew him referred to him as a true blue friend. In his earlier years he loved to fish, hunt, shoot clay pigeons, reload his own shells, target practice with his wife and daughter and travel.

He was a faithful servant for 71 years of The Bernard Church of God, making him the oldest member until his death.
If you wanted to know the truth about family or community history he was the one to talk to, especially if you wanted church history or when and where roads were built in KY, TN and W VA. He never met a stranger and made friends easily, making him loved and admired by many.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 23, 2026, at The Bernard Ridge Church of God, 241 Stephens Ridge Road,
Russell Springs, KY, 1pm CT with visitation the same day 10-1 CT.

Interment will be in the Bernard Cemetery, Stephens Ridge Road, Russell Springs, KY, formerly part of the original Stephens family farm.

Officiating: Bro. Ted Stidham and Bro. Eric Richardson

Pallbearers: Jackie Aaron, Joe Aaron, Larry Bennett, Troy Downey, Bro. Billy Silverman and Clark Wheeler.

Honorary Pallbearers: Rudy Higginbotham, David Hill, Leroy Rayburn, Larry Pitman and Jeff Warner.

Wilson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.