Honoring Bill Bowman: Support His Final Farewell

Dearly Beloved Horror Movie Fans,

The unthinkable happened today: we lost a true legend to the area, and an amazing man. We never thought the day would come that Bill Bowman, the Bowman Body who hosted Shock Theater, would ever leave this world and fly off into the sunset. Well it happened, and anyone who’s life he touched over the years is in complete shock.

This will not be well worded because this is such a devastating loss that came out of nowhere. Bill was like a father to me, and we had some great times together. I’m sure each and every one of you can relate to those feelings of family, and your hearts may feel ripped out, too. I’ve been very involved in his life, including his finances, and realized after a short while the true struggle he had on a day-to-day basis. Decisions that had to be made to sustain his late wife, Octavia added astronomical expenses and overhead that were both beyond their control, and his granddaughter Casey even stepped in to ensure his wellbeing. He had nothing left after she passed, and the costs continued to rise.

In January of 2024, it was decided that Bill couldn’t live alone any longer and decided to move in with Casey in Florida so she could become his primary caregiver. It took the sale of the house in May to get him out of the debt that had been hanging over his head for so long. I took it upon myself to remodel his home for him, so that we could keep things as affordable as possible. But the money that it took to get him out of debt didn’t go too far, and he was soon in a similar position financially.

We all thought he was going to pull through, and see the other side of financial freedom again, however, his health kept declining. He was enrolled in Hospice, and things seemed to stabilize again for Bill. Everything was looking up, then he took a spill on Friday, September 27th, 2024, and within 48 hours, he left us.

From watching him on TV with your favorite horror movies, to hearing him on the air waves and seeing him out in public so much, you were bound to have an amazing time being entertained by one of the area’s best. He loved to make people smile, loved being the life of the party, and loved his family.

Casey is an absolute wreck. Afterall, Bill and Octavia raised her, and Bill was her everything. I’m really concerned for her right now, because she did not requalify for her disability and has not been able to go back to work since her brain tumor diagnosis in 2016 and her caregiving responsibilities for Bill. Her health is a roller coaster: I’ve gotten to know her very well since Bill and I were first introduced, and I worry about her physical security and where the money will come from in order to arrange his final expenses.

If anyone is in the position to provide assistance to us at this impossible time it would be more than appreciated. I will be overseeing all of the final debts and funeral expenses to ensure that the funds raised here will go directly toward sending him off in the best way possible. Thank you all for your consideration, your time, your help, and for your loyalty with us. He was truly blessed, and we were even more blessed because he was in our lives.