Obituary of William Jasper Cowan

William Jasper “Bill” Cowan, 84, passed away on Saturday, March 29. Bill was a native of Jackson County, North Carolina and proudly called the Cullowhee and Webster areas “home” for most of his life. In recent years, he moved to Mills River in Henderson County to be near children and grandchildren. The son of the late James Jasper “J.J.” Cowan and Hicks Ashe Cowan, Bill was preceded in death by his siblings Cordell Cowan, Edith Cowan, Gladys Kiker, Mary Alice “Tootsie” Phillips, and Stella Smith. He is survived by his older brother, Jack Cowan of Renton, Washington. Bill, an Air Force veteran, is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda Barnett Cowan. He spent his retirement years near his children: Jill Cowan Gregg (Brian), Jan Cowan King (Wade), and Jimmy Cowan (Diana). Bill also enjoyed visits from his oldest daughter, Edie Tagmir-Shelton (Gale), from Del City, Oklahoma. His grandchildren will miss “Papa” dearly. He leaves a legacy of eight grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. Many Jackson County residents will remember Bill from his work at the Cullowhee Post Office or as the founder of Cullowhee Real Estate. But his children will remember him most as a man who was sharp with numbers, loved to play cards and watch the news, and took the job of being a good provider very seriously. After moving to Mills River, he enjoyed trips back to see his friends in Jackson County, where he always felt at home. He was a member of the East LaPorte Masonic Lodge, The American Legion and was a Shriner. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 2 to 4 pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Shriners Hospitals for Children at 950 West Faris Road in Greenville, SC 29681 ATTN: Development Office.