Jackson/Ridgeland
Funeral Home
Parkway Funeral Home
Visitation
1-2 pm, Friday, Oct 6, 2023, Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, 750 S Pear Orchard Rd, Ridgeland, MS
Service
2 pm, Friday, Oct 6, 2023, Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, 750 S Pear Orchard Rd, Ridgeland, MS
Obituary
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on October 3, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Brigadier General Joseph (Joe) Hillhouse Bowden (Ret), age 98, who had served within HQ STARC and worked full-time at the USPFO-MS, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Brigadier General Joseph Hillhouse Bowden slipped into the arms of Jesus 5:30 a.m. October the third 2023. He was born June 3, 1925 to Joseph Bowden Jr. and Rosa Dunbar (Wharton) Bowden. He lived a rich, full 98 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Bewey, and his daughter, Suzanne Wilkinson (Steve). He has three grandchildren who adored him, Joshua Joseph Wilkinson (Bethany), Erin Bainton, (Matt), and Caleb Wilkinson. He has seven beautiful great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and sister, Eleanor Scarborough. He has numerous nieces and nephews who think the world of him.
Joseph served in World War 2 under General George Patton in the third army and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he earned his master’s degree in history from Mississippi College. In lieu of teaching he joined the staff of the USPFO in Jackson, MS. He worked for the National Guard, won numerous awards including the Mississippi Magnolia Cross twice.