William John Cowell, 80, of Venice, Fla., formerly of Spread Eagle, Wis., died Monday, April 16, 2007, in Venice, from complications of pneumonia. He was born in Gladstone, Mich., October 19, 1926, son of the late Harvey and Mary Ellen (O'Brien) Cowell. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and was honorably discharged on November 11, 1945. He took advantage of the G.I. Bill and went to college at the University of Minnesota, Michigan Tech University and graduated from Michigan State University in 1948, with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He came to Iron Mountain in 1948, and taught in the Iron Mountain Schools system for four years. He was instrumental in starting skiing and golf as interscholastic sports in the Upper Peninsula. He coached both golf and skiing while employed as a teacher. Bill married Dolores Verrette of Iron Mountain on February 18, 1950. In 1952, he left teaching and was employed by Champion Inc. from 1952 to 1996. During most of his career with Champion he was Executive Vice President of the company in charge of the construction Division. He was involved in many large concrete construction projects nationwide. During this period he was a member of the concrete and concrete materials task forces for the American Society for testing materials who wrote the national specifications for concrete and concrete construction, he had a passion for his career. He was a member of the St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pine Grove Country Club, Chippewa Club, 678 Club, and Elks Club. He loved golfing, skiing, traveling, oil painting, reading, writing, and was very intrigued by world history. He also greatly enjoyed his five grandchildren. Everyone who knew him loved Bill Cowell! He was the most wonderful, honest, sincere, caring, loving, giving, generous, kind, even- tempered, and thoughtful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Bill will be missed by many!!! He leaves his beloved wife, Dolores (Dee), 1882 Marys Way, Kingsford, Mich., two sons Jeffrey (Joanne) Cowell, Iron Mountain, Joseph (Brenda) Cowell, Woodland Park, Colo.; a daughter Laurie (Scott) Furlow, Iron Mountain; a sister, Margaret (Charles) Baker, Ft. Meyers, Fla.; five grandchildren, Ryan Cowell (fiancée, Shannon Parent) Toledo, Ohio, Danielle (Jerrod) Bischoff, Colorado, Tony Cowell, Colorado, Paul Furlow (girlfriend, Kate Rasmussen) of Philadelphia, Pa., Stephanie Furlow, Iron Mountain and East Lansing, Mich.; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother Thomas (Riva) Cowell and a sister, Helen (Maurice) Buchmiller. Visitation will be Saturday, May 12, 2007, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, at Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain. The memorial service will be Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Deacon Don Christy will officiate. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain in memory of William J. Cowell. Burial will be at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Pall bearers will be, Ryan Cowell, Tony Cowell, Scott Furlow, Paul Furlow, Jim Verrette, Louis Pucci, Jim Klungness, and Paul Gingrass. Honorary pall bearers will be, Marty Myzerk, Chicago, Ill., Tony Menghini, Iron Mountain, Charlie Nelson, Iron Mountain, Larry Juul, Iron Mountain and Fla., and Lee VanJaarsveldt, Indian River, Mich. and Venice Fla. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Bill's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is serving the family.