Obituary of Virgil Bowman

Virgil “Ray” Bowman, 83

BELLEVIEW-Virgil “Ray” Bowman passed away on November 7, 2019 at Ocala Regional Hospital in Ocala, FL at the age of 83.

He was born on March 6, 1936 in Coalwood, West Virginia to the late Alvin and Elsie Bowman.  He was raised in Laurel Fork, Virginia where he met his wife on the 4^th of July in 1955 and they were married on December 8, 1955.  They would have celebrated their 64^th anniversary next month.

Ray was a heavy equipment operator and later transitioned into a long haul truck driver.  Ray had a talent for restoring antique cars.  Along with racing cars in his early years, he enjoyed NASCAR, yard selling and listening to his favorite country singers.

He was preceded in death by his four siblings; Marie Alderman of Meadows of Dan, VA., Winford Bowman of Orchard Gap, VA., Gene Bowman of Laurel Fork, VA., and Freda Marshall of Ridgeway, VA.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Bowman of Belleview, FL., and his five children; Walter Bowman (married to Denise) of Stuart, FL., Tina Wettlaufer (married to RADM Mike Wettlaufer) of Norfolk, VA., Ricky Bowman (married to Elara) of San Diego, CA., Tracy Griffin (married to David) of Belleview, FL., and Shawn Bowman (married to Keri) of Ocala, FL; his sister Evelyn Conner (married to Wesley) of Roanoke, VA., his grandchildren, Emily Sacco, Elizabeth Bowman, Reese Bowman, Harper Bowman, Michael Englehardt, Rachel Englehardt, Eric Englehardt and 7 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation with family will be Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 6:30-7:00p.m. with a celebration of life from 7:00-8:00 p.m at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home in Belleview, FL.