Bill Mcdowell

James W. McDowell, Sr, affectionately known as Bill, went on to be with the Lord surrounded by family during the evening of November 12, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Dorothy Jean McDowell. Together, their life outside of raising a family, consisted of frequent vacations to the Smokey's with siblings, motorcycle trips, crafting and painting projects for Christmas Around Sabina, and above all else, helping raise their seven grandchildren and then later on, their 13 great grandchildren. Their unwavering love for family was easily recognized by anyone in their presence.

Bill was found alongside Jean for the last ten years of Jean's life while fiercely fighting advanced Alzheimer's Disease, which would eventually take Jean's last breath in 2021. Bill would never get over losing the love of his life.

Originally from Pike County, Ohio, Bill would start his first job at the Atomic Plant in Piketon. Bill fondly talked about getting that job due to his superb cursive writing skills. After his time there, he would leave his beloved Pike County for Clinton County in 1955 to work for Producers Stockyards in Wilmington, Ohio. Bill would later say that was the best time of his life. From there, as Producers were restructuring, Bill would go on to his final career path at Cincinnati Milacron in Wilmington, Ohio followed by a short few years at Milacron in Oakley, Ohio where he would retire after 33 years in 1993.

Retirement was spent tinkering with garden tractors, working at a buddy's car lot practicing the lost art of negotiation, and above all else, spending time with his grandkids whenever he got the opportunity. Later on, he would follow all his great grandkids mostly through facebook, online sports streaming, and occasional events in person from a wheelchair or walker. He loved clipping newspaper articles and saving them to give to family members when he saw them next. He eventually fell in love with Facetime and looked forward to seeing family from all over the state from the comfort of his favorite recliner.

Bill is survived by his three children, Jim (Beverly) McDowell, Rick (Sherri) McDowell, and Pamela McDowell all of Sabina. Six grandchildren: Jeremiah (Kazi) McDowell, Hollie (Joe) Kowalski, Jaime (Chris) Evanshine, Daniel Denney, Caitlin Sandidge, Abigail (Josh) Singer. Thirteen great grandchildren: Gabriel and Carson McDowell, Andrew (Cari) Fecke; Dominik, Isaiah, Josie Kowalski; Gracie (Branson) Smith; Elizabeth Evanshine; Wally Wright; Jackson, Ruby, Bo, and Sawyer Singer. And a great, great grandchild, Jackson Fecke. Also survived by siblings: Mary Reaver, Carol Snively, Randy (Cathy) McDowell and sibling in-laws: Vicki McDowell, and Linda McDowell.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Hazel McDowell of Lucasville, Ohio; sister Bertha O'Brien; brothers John, Rufus, and Larry McDowell. Sibling in-laws: Raymond O'Brien, Paulette McDowell, Martin Snively, and Eugene Reaver. Bill was also preceded in death by his youngest grandson, David Denney.

The family will receive friends at Littleton Funeral Home, Sabina, on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 12 Noon until the time of service at 1:30pm.  Burial will follow at Sabina Cemetery.