Cottonwood City Page
June 27, 2008 Verde Independent
Spotlight on Volunteers – William Bowden
William Bowden Has a Passion for People and Volunteerism
William Bowden has been volunteering in City of Cottonwood service for ten years; his first task was as a member of the Lighting Ordinance advisory committee. He has been a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for eight years, where he says his greatest pleasure has been being part of the planning for the new Cottonwood Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Bowden is a WWll Navy veteran with an honorable discharge (Battleship form). He holds the rank of Lt. Col in the Civil Air Patrol (USAF auxiliary) with 40 years of service. He has numerous sorties in Search and Rescue and is credited as an observer with one save after finding a downed aircraft with three passengers aboard. He was Group 3 Commander over six squadrons and a cadet squadron Commander twice. He is also a life member of the Navy League (US Navy Auxiliary). Currently he enjoys his role as a volunteer Chaplain at Verde Valley Medical Center. He is a member of the Central Arizona Masonic Lodge—York Rite and Scottish Rite—and is a Shriner with El Zaribah Shrine.
Parks and Recreation Director Richard Faust says Bill Bowden’s heart for service, community, children and seniors can be wrapped up into one little quote: “Bill has a passion for people.”
Faust says, “Bowden has assisted in guiding and directing many areas for the management of our park systems and recreation programs over the years. He has been an integral part of every special event program over the past eight years by volunteering his precious personal time to assist in whatever way he could to help the people of our wonderful community. Some communities have people who stand at the fore-front of publicity and accolades, while Bill has always chosen the antithesis of this pursuit and given his all behind the scenes in self sacrifice towards the goal of making the community a better place to live for families throughout the Verde Valley.”
Faust says, “What a tribute for me to identify Bill in the highest way I can by saying thank you to one of Cottonwood’s preeminent citizens.”
How long have you lived in Cottonwood? Where did you grow up? Born in Atlanta, raised in the farming community of Ellenwood, Georgia, I moved to Phoenix In 1955 and to Cottonwood in 1998.
Is there anything about your family that you wish to share with the community? Our family first settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia in the 1600s, then moved through the Carolinas to north central Georgia just south of Atlanta. I have two daughters; the eldest is a middle manger at a resort in Tempe, the youngest is a retired Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, who has MS and lives in Jacksonville, Florida.
Education, career, recognition and awards: I have a bachelor’s of science degree from Grand Canyon University in business. I was self-employed in air conditioning for many years and later as a real estate broker for 35 years.
What are your views about volunteerism? Volunteer activities: Any one can find areas where they will receive enjoyment by being with those who become friends while doing meaningful activities. The activities for each person address that individual’s needs and finding a field to be a volunteer will bring great rewards.
How do you serve the community through your appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission? The Parks and Recreation Commission has been wonderful in that we recommend to the City Council programs and activities and, in the case of the ball diamonds and the new Rec Center, physical improvements that we hope to see implemented. This gives meaning to our efforts.
Please share your philosophy about how the Cottonwood Recreation and Aquatics Center will benefit the community. What kind of work did you do to bring the project this far? When I first came to Cottonwood I found it to have a very low level of facilities for recreation. When I became a Commissioner 8 years ago the Commission was discussing the items that would be needed in a Rec Center. We first had to develop the skate park area which was followed by the soft ball fields and the moving of Herridge Field, hopefully to be completed this year. One of my activities was to go to Colorado to familiarize myself with a number of recreation and aquatics centers.
We have to complete the center and not shortchange any of the citizens. I found that in Colorado all ages used the centers; the senior citizens were predominant before noon, the families in the afternoon, and the youth in the afternoon and at night. If we don’t have a total center, whom are we going to tell “you are not important to the City?”
Where do you see the community of Cottonwood in 10 years? The City of Cottonwood, based what I have seen in the past will experience slow growth. The commercial and industrial sectors will find a healthy city that watches its budget and that will be attractive to any endeavor.
What are your hobbies and enjoyment besides volunteerism and serving your community? Road trips and photography.
If you could get every single community member to do just one thing, what would that be? Understand that the city government is not made up of power brokers, but their friends and neighbors, who have taken on an important task of working, managing or giving direction (governing) day to day what needs to be done.
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Cottonwood City Council members recognize the invaluable contributions volunteers make to the betterment of city government and the community. Spotlight on Volunteers is written by Mayor Diane Joens. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference in your city. Council members encourage everyone to get involved. If you’re interested in volunteering, call Kyla Allen, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, 634-5526. Volunteer today!