William Craig ‘Bill’ Bowers

William Craig “Bill” Bowers, 81, of Olive Branch, and formerly of Cairo, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at Integrity Healthcare in Anna.

He was born on Jan. 17, 1941, in St. Louis, the son of Otis Craig and Kathryn Eileen Wilson Bowers.

He married Anna Marie Myhre on March 14, 1964. She survives. 

He graduated from Cairo High School and then went on to join the U.S. Marines. 

He later went to medical lab school in Asheville, N.C. He graduated at the top of his class, and then went to work at St. Mary’s in Cairo. 

He was in law enforcement for over 40 years. In 1968, he started at the Cairo Police Department, and in 1971 became chief of police, serving until 1982. 

In 1983, he went to work for the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department, and served for 26 years. 

Mr. Bowers was a member of the Federal Public Housing Authority Violent Crime and Drug Taskforce for two years. 

He retired as sheriff of Alexander County in 2007. He was of the Catholic faith and a member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Cairo. 

Survivors include his wife, Anna Marie Bowers of Olive Branch; son Mark (Penny) Bowers of Thebes; brothers-in-law Carl (Donna) Myhre, Steve Myhre and Keith (Carrie) Myhre; sister-in-law Lisa Myhre; grandchildren Travis Bowers, Cynthia Roberts and Edwin Rulo; great-grandson Uriah Weaver; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with Father Uriel Salamanca officiating. Interment followed the service in the Mound City National Cemetery. Military rites were accorded by the American Legion Post No. 178.

Memorials can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms was in charge of arrangements.