William "Bill" L. Bowe

                                                                         William Leon Bowe

                                                                                      “Bill”

                                                                  April 26, 1947 – August 6, 2025

It is with profound sorrow that the family of William Leon Bowe announces his passing on August 6, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born on April 26, 1947, at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ, to Joseph Leon Bowe and Margaret Bowe (née Sulzman). He was baptized in the Catholic Church soon after his birth. William led a life defined by his unwavering dedication to justice, his commitment to family, and his profound impact on everyone he encountered.

William grew up in Woodbury, NJ, alongside his younger sister, Kathleen Margaret Bowe. He attended St. Patrick's Elementary School and was a member of the Boy Scouts.  Bill was a member of the debating team and later graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School, where his sharp intellect and sense of fairness were already evident.

He went on to pursue higher education at St. Joseph’s University before attending the prestigious University of Virginia Law School, where he refined his legal skills and passion for advocating for the underserved.

Bill was Director of the Master of Laws Program, Trial Advocacy at Temple University School of Law for several years. He provided rigorous training to our future student lawyers. Bill’s Advocacy Team won the National Trial Competition Awards in 1995,1996, 1997, and 1998.

In his private practice, Bill represented many high-profile cases. In June 2010, The Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper stated, “William L. Bowe represented people that most lawyers would not.

His peers recommended that Bill do Federal cases due to his trial skills and knowledge of the law. He was vetted and assigned a high-profile Philadelphia case that lasted for months, garnering significant media attention.

Bill began his career at The Defender Association and then returned to the place he loved to complete his job, retiring on June 30, 2018.  Bill found his niche at The Defender Association and was especially passionate about his involvement in the Juvenile Lifers Project, where he worked tirelessly with juveniles sentenced to life in prison. He dedicated years of his life to reducing sentences and, in many cases, securing a release for nearly all his clients. His work in this area was transformative, not just for the lives he helped change but for the criminal justice system itself. Bill believed in second chances and fought relentlessly for those who had been given none.  In the legal community, Bill was known as the lawyer's lawyer.

Bill's determination didn’t just extend to his work; it defined how he lived. On an ordinary April day in 2001, while riding an elevator, Bill met a woman who caught his eye. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bill struck up a conversation with Sylvia Atchison, and after a few moments of connection, he was invited to sit at her table for coffee. That simple conversation blossomed into a beautiful 18-year marriage, full of love, laughter, and partnership. They shared a love of animals, planting trees and flowers, sailing, agility, geography, history, watching war, action, and mystery movies. Bill was an avid sports fan.  He looked forward to every Phillies and Eagles game.

Throughout his life, William was a devoted family man. He was a beloved husband, stepfather, grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle. His warmth and love will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him and the lives he touched. His dedication to family, friends, and his community was a central theme in everything he did.  Bill’s favorite pastime was genealogy. As a twenty-year member of Ancestry.com, he researched his family history, tracing their journey from Ireland as they made their way to the United States. He documented their journey.

William’s legacy is one of compassion, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of justice. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sylvia Bowe (nee Atchison),  stepsons, Jeffrey and Justin Harris, and Kurtis Abrams,  grandson, Nyvair Harris,  sister Kathleen Kilgus (Paul),  brothers-in-law, Vincent and Marvin Atchison, sisters-in-law, Barbara Bryant (William), Sandra Kasali, (Femi), Gale Johnson,  nieces, Acheria and Arie Johnson,  nephews, Paul Kilgus, Jonathan Kilgus (Erica) and Christopher Kilgus (Adele),  Samuel Segars, and Femi Kasali,great nieces and great nephews: Elle, Kristine, Leonardo, Otto, Griffin, and Calder. Bill’s faithful fur companion is Khaleesi.

He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Leon Bowe and Margaret Bowe (née Sulzman), and his fur companions, Blue and Redd.

Family and friends are invited to attend Bill’s viewing on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 9:00am-11:00am at the McGuinness Funeral Home, located at 34 Hunter St, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Followed by a funeral service at 11:00am. Interment will be private.