William Donald “Billy” Howes, 87, peacefully passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Born in 1938, in the quaint town of Fairmont, he was a son of the late Nell Howes and Frances Donald Howes.
As an Eagle Scout in the Scouts of America, Bill entered and served four years in the U.S. Army receiving an honorable discharge. He later graduated with a degree in landscape architecture from WVU. His early career saw the creation of family parks and recreation with more than 20 parks to his credit. He worked for Computer Science Raytheon at Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Space Force Base and spent many years commuting to Ascension Island to aid down range satellite base development. Later in life, he worked as a field engineer for FEMA in relief efforts in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Bill was an artist and creative soul first and foremost, bringing creative vision to everything he did.
As a son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, student and mentor, Bill was deeply loved. His passion transcended life moved souls and brought everyone closer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol French Howes.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Paula Howes; daughters, Chanell Schoener (Patrick), of Melbourne Florida, and Janell Gaucher (Curtis), of Fairfax Virginia; son, Branden Howes (Natalie), of Orlando Florida; and step-children, LaRee, of Manassas Virginia, Stephen (Melinda), of Sioux City, Iowa, and Ryan (Tammy), of Leesburg, Virginia.
Bill and Paula shared a total of 16 grandchildren; and soon to be seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at VanReenen Funeral Home in Marlinton.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Dunmore United Methodist Church.
VanReenen Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
