Clifford Wesley Bowers

Clifford W. Bowers 88, of 791 McDermott Street, died Sunday, September 13, 2009 at Woodland Hill Health and Rehabilitation, Asheboro.Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 16th, at 11 AM from the First E & R United Church of Christ, 221Cliff Road, Asheboro, NC with Rev. Dale Kennedy and Rev. Marion Smith officiating. Burial with military honors by the Randolph Honor Guard will follow in Randolph Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave, Asheboro on Tuesday, September 15th from 6 to 8 PM.Clifford Wesley Bowers was born on July 23, 1921 to Bessie and Hillard Bowers in Albemarle, NC. He had three brothers and three sisters, although two sisters died as babies. At five years old he lost his mother to tuberculosis. From age 5 to 17 years old he stayed with his dad and worked on a farm. At age 17, he decided to hobo across America to see the country. He left with new clothes and new shoes, and was gone for 6 months. After his money ran out, he begged for bread and water and whatever strangers would give him along with his stepbrother Jim Peavy. He almost starved trying to make it back home, and when he returned his shoes had no soles anymore. After returning from his trip, he went to work in a cotton mill as a sweeper. He was living with his eldest brother, HenryAt age 19, he joined the Army and entered parachute school (known to many as the 82nd Airborne). He was overseas for 19 months, and was based in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He made 4 combat jumps and over 40 total jumps, and won the Bronze Star during that campaign. Before leaving overseas he married a girl of 15 years old named Ruby Cagle. Upon his return he started building houses, drilling wells, and working at the Bossong Hoisery Mill and General Hardware & Lumber. He also was a cook at Walgreen's drugstore. He eventually went into business with his father in law, J.D. Cagle Construction. For a short while, he ran Certified Concrete before starting Bowers Construction which lasted for 40 years. He was in numerous organizations such as the Lions Club, the American Legion (of which he was a commander), and he was the president and a charter member of Home Builders Association. He was also once named Home Builder of the Year. He was a member of the E&R United Church of Christ, where he was a Deacon and an Elder. He was a staunch supporter of sports in the local community where he was a coach and started the Pony and Colt baseball leagues in Asheboro, and was president of the little league association. Due to injuries sustained during the war, he was unable to play sports; however he loved football, baseball, basketball, and golf. He also loved horses, and was in business for 10 years with his brother-in-law, James Cagle, where they started C&B Stables. They showed prized Tennessee Walkers and won numerous awards. He built many fine homes and businesses in Asheboro over a 40 year building career, including the Tank and Tummy's you see today, the Sir Pizza's, and many doctors' offices and churches all over Asheboro. He never once advertised. He had two fine sons and one adopted daughter, Donnie, Mike, and Joan. He sent all three to college, took care of his family, and made a living with a 9th grade education. His heritage lives on through his two sons and daughter with grandchildren: Scott Brower, Chase Bowers Law, Lindsay Bowers Rogers, Katie Bowers, Eric Bowers (the sole male to carry on the Bowers name), three step grandchildren: Michael, Jennifer, Katherine Fulton, and two great grandchildren: Chloe Law and Hudson Rogers.He lived a long life of 88 years. He loved and cherished his wife Ruby for 67 years. He always said that he had the most beautiful wife in the world and he was proud of his family. He was a man's man and a self-educated, self-made man. And he always made his point. He was God-fearing, worshipped the Lord his entire life, and was active in his church until he was incapable of attending. His legacy will carry on through all of the positive ways that he has influenced the lives of his family and friends. Memorials may be made the First E & R United Church of Christ, 221 Cliff Road, Asheboro, NC 27203.