Philip Ray Bowler

Philip Ray Bowler peacefully passed away on February 13, 2023, at his home in Woodruff, Arizona. He was 84 years old. Phil was born on May 10, 1938, in Woodruff, Arizona to Minnie (Heward) Bowler and John Albert Bowler. He was the youngest of seven children. 

He attended Woodruff Elementary School and Holbrook High School where he participated in basketball, football, track, choir, and speech and drama. As a youth, he was a member of 4-H and Scouts. He helped his parents garden, raise chickens, and rode with his father on his postal route. He loved fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. He spent a lot of time with his children and grandchildren in these pursuits. 

Phil first met his sweetheart Janice Johnson when her parents moved to Woodruff in September of 1950. When Phil first saw eight-year-old Janice Johnson, it was love at first sight. He vowed then and there that he would marry her, which he did eleven years later on May 22, 1961, in Gallup, New Mexico. 

After getting married, Phil and Janice moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where Phil attended Northern Arizona University for a year. While there, he worked for Northern Arizona University and Arizona Daily Sun delivering newspapers. Once the semester ended, they moved back to Woodruff, Arizona; Phil then bought sheet metal equipment from his brother John and went into business for himself doing air conditioning and general sheet metal work. He continued this occupation until he semi-retired at sixty-three. 

Through the years Phil served in many church callings including temple ordinance worker. He was also the Woodruff irrigation water boss and served on the irrigation board. He helped build the underground water system Woodruff enjoys today by obtaining grants, organizing, and installing the system. 

 He is survived by his eight children: Jan (Benjamin Lucky), Von Ray (Charlotte Emily Thompson), Anthony Bowler (Manuela Rehm), Marvin Dwayne (Shelley Galloway), Laurie Antonette, Philip Ronald (Felicia Lyn Crook), Priscilla (Daniel Glick), and John Stuart (Rebecca Shipley). He has 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings: Laurie; Marian (Lynn Despain/ L.E. Boyce); Albert Vernon (Doris Mortensen); Elda (George Albert Lewis Jr.); John Lehi (Gwen Gordon); Frank (Marilyn Hester) and by his first wife, Janice Johnson and his second wife, Martha Sharon Winn.

His funeral will be held in the Woodruff Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m.

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