William A. “Bill” Dowell Jr.

William A. “Bill” Dowell, age 87, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Life Care Center of La Center.
 
Bill was born on November 25, 1938, to the late William A. and Ruth Edwards Dowell in Paducah.

Bill built a long and respected career in accounting and finance. He retired after 30 years as Vice President of the Bookkeeping Department at Citizens Bank and later continued his work for 11 years in the Accounting Department at USEC. His professionalism, integrity, and dependable nature earned the respect of coworkers and friends alike.

A faithful member of McKendree Church for more than 65 years, Bill was deeply involved in the life of his church family. He served with the Methodist Men, participated in the youth group, and continued overseeing the McKendree Cemetery. His long membership reflected not only his faith, but also his commitment to serving others and staying active in the fellowship that meant so much to him over the years.

Bill also gave generously of his time and energy to the broader community. He served as a board member of Community Christian Academy and was active in the Heath High School Band Boosters, supporting young people and the programs that helped them grow. He took great interest in the lives of his grandchildren and was very involved in their activities, always showing up with encouragement, support, and pride.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed simple pleasures that brought him happiness. He liked to paint, mow, and work in his garden, finding satisfaction in staying busy and caring for the world around him. He was also an enthusiastic fan of the Kentucky Wildcats and the St. Louis Cardinals, following both teams with loyalty and interest. He enjoyed traveling with church friends and treasured the companionship and memories made along the way. These hobbies and interests reflected the steady, grounded spirit that defined him.  Bill was also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.
 
Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gracie Bell Jones Dowell; a daughter, Teresa Clinard, and her husband, Butch of Kevil, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Alli Swinford and her husband, Alec, Emma Clinard and her fiancé, Devon Evans, and Lilli Scillion and her husband, Dakota; two great-grandchildren, Boone and Wyatt Swinford; and a grand-dog, Clark; a daughter-in-law, Rita Pierce and her husband, Jay of West Paducah; two sisters, Pat Holland and her husband, David of Louisville, Kentucky, and Brenda Stigall and her husband, Randy of Hebron, Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Betty Lippert of Paducah, and a brother-in-law, Terry Jones and his wife, Brenda of Kevil; and several nieces and nephews.
 
Bill was preceded in death by a son, Mark Dowell; his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Margaret and Thomas Jones; and a brother-in-law, Aubrey Lippert.
 
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Revs: John Smithmier, Joe Meyer, and Bill Miller officiating. Burial will follow at McKendree Church Cemetery.
 
Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the service hour of 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
 
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to McKendree Church, c/o 3740 Kelley Rd. Kevil, KY 42053, Community Christian Academy, 110 Lebanon Church Rd, Paducah, KY 42003, and or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
 
You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle of remembrance at www.milnerandorr.com