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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling
Captain William
"Iron Bill" Dowling
Mar 14, 1973 — Mar 7, 2017
Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling's Obituary
C
aptain William Ross "Iron Bill"
Dowling earned his nickname by
courageously fighting back from the
catastrophic injuries he endured in the 2013
Southwest Inn fire. He was equally proud of
his life's other fights – for his family, for his
country, and for his faith.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14, 1973, Bill moved to Texas with his family. In 1993, he graduated from Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. A rebellious youth led Bill to service as a U.S. Marine. He became a Marine after convincing a recruiting officer that he would succeed in military service. He did just that. As a Marine corporal, Bill provided security for United Nations troops in Somalia, and served in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, among other locations. He earned a Combat Action Ribbon, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, a National Defense Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. After military service, Bill found his professional calling in the fire service. He was a member of the Houston Fire Department and the Champions Fire Department. As Bill rose through the HFD ranks, he preferred busy stations, and he worked in some of the city's busiest – Stations 12, 19, 25, 48, and finally 68.
He cherished his brothers and sisters in the fire service. As he had in military service, Bill loved being a part of something greater than himself. Bill's tough exterior belied a tenderheartedness known to his family and friends. They respected his commitment to being an extraordinary husband, father, brother, son, and friend. His life's journey included renewal of his faith in God. Bill was proud to have read every word of the Bible.
Bill is survived by Jacki, his loving wife of 23 years, and their children — Forrest, Faith and Foster; parents, Mary and Rick Dowling; sister, Mary Harrison and husband Rodney; nephew, Garrett; niece, Hannah; brother, Joseph and wife Toni; niece, Georgia Thormer and husband Michael; niece, Elizabeth Dowling; nephew, River Dowling; brother, John and wife Sarah; nieces, Abigail and Madeline; and nephew, Jonathan.
The Dowling family extends its gratitude to Bill's pallbearers, the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, and so many others who have offered condolences and given their support and friendship.
The family also asks that the families and friends of the four Houston firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on May 31, 2013 — Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan — be kept in your thoughts and prayers.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14, 1973, Bill moved to Texas with his family. In 1993, he graduated from Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. A rebellious youth led Bill to service as a U.S. Marine. He became a Marine after convincing a recruiting officer that he would succeed in military service. He did just that. As a Marine corporal, Bill provided security for United Nations troops in Somalia, and served in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, among other locations. He earned a Combat Action Ribbon, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, a National Defense Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. After military service, Bill found his professional calling in the fire service. He was a member of the Houston Fire Department and the Champions Fire Department. As Bill rose through the HFD ranks, he preferred busy stations, and he worked in some of the city's busiest – Stations 12, 19, 25, 48, and finally 68.
He cherished his brothers and sisters in the fire service. As he had in military service, Bill loved being a part of something greater than himself. Bill's tough exterior belied a tenderheartedness known to his family and friends. They respected his commitment to being an extraordinary husband, father, brother, son, and friend. His life's journey included renewal of his faith in God. Bill was proud to have read every word of the Bible.
Bill is survived by Jacki, his loving wife of 23 years, and their children — Forrest, Faith and Foster; parents, Mary and Rick Dowling; sister, Mary Harrison and husband Rodney; nephew, Garrett; niece, Hannah; brother, Joseph and wife Toni; niece, Georgia Thormer and husband Michael; niece, Elizabeth Dowling; nephew, River Dowling; brother, John and wife Sarah; nieces, Abigail and Madeline; and nephew, Jonathan.
The Dowling family extends its gratitude to Bill's pallbearers, the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, and so many others who have offered condolences and given their support and friendship.
The family also asks that the families and friends of the four Houston firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on May 31, 2013 — Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan — be kept in your thoughts and prayers.
Funeral Services for Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling
Funeral Service
March
15
Wednesday
Dunham Theater at Morris Cultural Arts Center - Houston Baptist University
Starts at 10:00 am
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