Virgil William Bowman, age 88, of Russellville, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Virgil was born August 4, 1935, in Ft. Douglas, to parents, Alma Varnell Murphy Bowman and Harry Wilson Bowman. Virgil graduated from Russellville High School in 1953 and married Modean Aston on November 26, 1955. He was a member of Woodlawn Free Will Baptist Church, previously served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher, was part of the Arkansas and Missouri National Guard for a total of 8 years (deployed during his time in the Missouri unit), was on the Camp Mack Girl Scout committee, and was a volunteer for various other church, school parade floats, Girl Scout, and 4‐H endeavors.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Goldie Bowman; and a stepsister, Carol Duvall.

Survivors include his wife, Modean; his children, Beverly Bowman, Cindy (David) Nardini and Melinda (Randy) Rhynes; grandchildren, Kyle (Ashley) Nardini, Casey Nardini, Alana Nardini, Garrett Rhynes, John Wesley Bowman, and Austin Rhynes; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Nardini and Gavin Nardini; a stepbrother, James Stacey; a stepsister, Ruby Hottinger; and a host of other family and friends.

Virgil had a love for music, both vocal and instrumental. He was blessed with an incredible ear and the ability to play any instrument that was ever put in front of him. While he was in junior high, he took a few guitar lessons that Gene Witherspoon volunteered to give to a student who was interested enough to walk to the TECH campus to receive them. He did not have any formal training other than those few lessons but could pick out a tune on strings or keys without a written piece of music. And he loved adding a tenor harmony at church or singing along with the radio.

Virgil would always talk about being the person who moved the first dirt for the Dardanelle Lock and Dam project in the late 50's. Our recollection is his story went something like the following. The team contracted to begin surveying the site were unable to get down to the river. Someone suggested the crew reach out to a tractor store, who had some machinery that might be useful. The tractor store owner was a neighbor and friend of Virgil and his family. Virgil had done work for him before, so he contracted him to make a way. Dirt WAS moved, land cleared, and a way provided so the survey crew could do their job, which literally made this portion the "first" dirt moved!

Virgil farmed with his father until 1956, when he moved with his wife to Kansas City, Missouri with the intention of becoming a telegraph operator for the railroad. Soon after arriving in Kansas City, Virgil realized that the telegraph was on its way out and the telephone was quickly overtaking the communication medium. Virgil worked for the telephone company in Russellville after he and Modean moved back home in 1959.

In 1964, Firestone built a plant in Russellville and Virgil was the 6th man hired. His dedication and responsible nature allowed him to advance to plant manager of the graveyard shift (11pm to 7am) within the next few years. He continued to work for Firestone until his retirement in 1986.

Working the graveyard shift allowed Virgil to continue his love for the land and raising cattle during the daylight hours. Although cattle were his main focus, he also raised finishing hogs as a means of financing expansion of his cattle herd and land. His mind was geared towards creating and engineering solutions -- possibly derived from necessity – but he was gifted in that regard and his fenced and cross‐fenced fields, and natural alley ways for working/moving cattle are still operational today. Plus, his ability to weld a gate fastener from pieces of scrap metal (as well as creations of wood and various other "fixes") was a constant source of amazement to his kids and grands. In 1990, Virgil and his family were awarded the Pope County Farm Family of the year. A nice recognition for his years of farming.

Pallbearers are Virgil's six grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers are James Stacey, Herb Aston, E.J. Barton, David Nardini, Randy Rhynes, and the Men's Sunday School class at Woodlawn Free Will Baptist Church.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Shinn Chapel.  Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army of Russellville, 1801 S Arkansas Ave, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.