Obituary From "Ottumwa Courier," March 10, 1975:
Ottumwa musician William Lowry dies
William B. Lowry, 90, one of Ottumwa's most famous musicians, died Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at Ottumwa Manor, where he had been taken Wednesday from Ottumwa Hospital. He had been in failing health several years.
A resident of 219 N. Marion, he was an Ottumwa resident most of his life, and he had been noted for his singing and whistling talents.
He was born Jan. 29, 1885, in Jamestown, Ind., the son of Dr. E.F. and Mildred Lowry.
In his early years, Lowry was an entertainer on the Chautauqua circuit for 14 years. He met Nell Jeffrys after being on the circuit for one season and married her in 1918 at the Willard Street Methodist Church, where he was the choir director.
Lowry made several records as a baritone vocalist and a whistler. He was a frequent soloist with the Ottumwa Municipal Band and directed the music for the Rotary Club for many years. He played the role of Santa Claus for many parties and organizations and also served as the master of ceremonies.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Masonic Empire Lodge 269, Clinton Chapter 9, Ottumwa Council 31 and Malta Commandery 31. He was the monarch of Hafed Grotto in 1936.
Surviving are his widow, Nell, a resident of Good Samaritan Center since Wednesday; a nephew, Dr. Frederick Lowry of Austin Tex.; and a niece, Mrs. Mildred Fry of Ohio. He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.
The service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Reece Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles T. Rinkel Jr. of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.
A memorial has been established pay to the First Methodist Church.
Ottumwa musician William Lowry dies
William B. Lowry, 90, one of Ottumwa's most famous musicians, died Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at Ottumwa Manor, where he had been taken Wednesday from Ottumwa Hospital. He had been in failing health several years.
A resident of 219 N. Marion, he was an Ottumwa resident most of his life, and he had been noted for his singing and whistling talents.
He was born Jan. 29, 1885, in Jamestown, Ind., the son of Dr. E.F. and Mildred Lowry.
In his early years, Lowry was an entertainer on the Chautauqua circuit for 14 years. He met Nell Jeffrys after being on the circuit for one season and married her in 1918 at the Willard Street Methodist Church, where he was the choir director.
Lowry made several records as a baritone vocalist and a whistler. He was a frequent soloist with the Ottumwa Municipal Band and directed the music for the Rotary Club for many years. He played the role of Santa Claus for many parties and organizations and also served as the master of ceremonies.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Masonic Empire Lodge 269, Clinton Chapter 9, Ottumwa Council 31 and Malta Commandery 31. He was the monarch of Hafed Grotto in 1936.
Surviving are his widow, Nell, a resident of Good Samaritan Center since Wednesday; a nephew, Dr. Frederick Lowry of Austin Tex.; and a niece, Mrs. Mildred Fry of Ohio. He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.
The service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Reece Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles T. Rinkel Jr. of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.
A memorial has been established pay to the First Methodist Church.
Obituary From "Ottumwa Courier," March 10, 1975:
Ottumwa musician William Lowry dies
William B. Lowry, 90, one of Ottumwa's most famous musicians, died Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at Ottumwa Manor, where he had been taken Wednesday from Ottumwa Hospital. He had been in failing health several years.
A resident of 219 N. Marion, he was an Ottumwa resident most of his life, and he had been noted for his singing and whistling talents.
He was born Jan. 29, 1885, in Jamestown, Ind., the son of Dr. E.F. and Mildred Lowry.
In his early years, Lowry was an entertainer on the Chautauqua circuit for 14 years. He met Nell Jeffrys after being on the circuit for one season and married her in 1918 at the Willard Street Methodist Church, where he was the choir director.
Lowry made several records as a baritone vocalist and a whistler. He was a frequent soloist with the Ottumwa Municipal Band and directed the music for the Rotary Club for many years. He played the role of Santa Claus for many parties and organizations and also served as the master of ceremonies.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Masonic Empire Lodge 269, Clinton Chapter 9, Ottumwa Council 31 and Malta Commandery 31. He was the monarch of Hafed Grotto in 1936.
Surviving are his widow, Nell, a resident of Good Samaritan Center since Wednesday; a nephew, Dr. Frederick Lowry of Austin Tex.; and a niece, Mrs. Mildred Fry of Ohio. He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.
The service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Reece Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles T. Rinkel Jr. of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.
A memorial has been established pay to the First Methodist Church.
Ottumwa musician William Lowry dies
William B. Lowry, 90, one of Ottumwa's most famous musicians, died Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at Ottumwa Manor, where he had been taken Wednesday from Ottumwa Hospital. He had been in failing health several years.
A resident of 219 N. Marion, he was an Ottumwa resident most of his life, and he had been noted for his singing and whistling talents.
He was born Jan. 29, 1885, in Jamestown, Ind., the son of Dr. E.F. and Mildred Lowry.
In his early years, Lowry was an entertainer on the Chautauqua circuit for 14 years. He met Nell Jeffrys after being on the circuit for one season and married her in 1918 at the Willard Street Methodist Church, where he was the choir director.
Lowry made several records as a baritone vocalist and a whistler. He was a frequent soloist with the Ottumwa Municipal Band and directed the music for the Rotary Club for many years. He played the role of Santa Claus for many parties and organizations and also served as the master of ceremonies.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Masonic Empire Lodge 269, Clinton Chapter 9, Ottumwa Council 31 and Malta Commandery 31. He was the monarch of Hafed Grotto in 1936.
Surviving are his widow, Nell, a resident of Good Samaritan Center since Wednesday; a nephew, Dr. Frederick Lowry of Austin Tex.; and a niece, Mrs. Mildred Fry of Ohio. He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.
The service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Reece Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles T. Rinkel Jr. of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.
A memorial has been established pay to the First Methodist Church.
Gravesite Details
William, his wife Nell, and his sister Adeline is on the back of the gravestone for his parents Dr. E.F. and Mildred Lowry.
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