William "Craig" Bowen

William “Craig” Bowen, 66, of Sedalia, Missouri, went to be with his Savior on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his family. He can now say with confidence, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Craig was born on April 6, 1956, in Knoxville, Iowa, the first of Doran and Beverly Bowen’s two sons. In 1962 the family moved to Independence, Missouri. Growing up, Craig was a voracious reader of history and literature. He spent many days hunting at the family farm in Fairfax, MO and camping and fishing with his parents and brother Brian. Craig attended Truman High School in Independence. During this time, he discovered his life-long love of running when he joined the track and cross-country teams; he bought his first motorcycle at age fourteen; he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Most importantly, when a classmate shared the Good News about Jesus’s death and resurrection with him, Craig responded in faith. From that point forward, Craig’s relationship with Jesus and his passion for God’s Word became the defining qualities of his life.

Craig earned his degree in Computer Science at the University of Missouri-Rolla, and then took a job as a computer analyst at Conoco Inc. in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Soon after arriving in Ponca, Craig noticed the beautiful smile of Joanie Guinn in Sunday school. They married in 1982 and enjoyed 40 sweet years together, building what they fondly called their “extraordinary ordinary life.”

Craig and Joanie became the loving parents of Bethany, Sarah, Nathan, Hannah, and Josiah, all born in Ponca City. Craig cherished fatherhood and all its roles, including soccer coach, Sunday school teacher, home educator, and mentor. He shared a love of music and reading with his daughters, and a love of fitness and motorcycles with his sons. Each child grew to see him as a wise and trusted friend.

It was also in Ponca City that Craig’s gift for teaching the Bible blossomed. As a deacon and elder at Providence Baptist Church, Craig led the nursing home ministry for 16 years; he also taught Sunday school classes for children and adults.

After many years of lay ministry, he decided to pursue his dream of full-time ministry, so at age 45, he and the family moved to California where he earned a Master of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary.

In 2005 the Bowen family moved again to Sedalia, MO where Craig was honored to shepherd the precious flock at Bethany Baptist Church for 16 years. Being “Pastor Craig” was one of the greatest joys of his life. He loved the people, and he loved studying and preaching God’s word.

Craig’s life was marked by faithfulness: to his family, to his flock, and to his Savior. Craig is preceded in death by his father, Doran. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joanie; his children: Bethany Wefuan (Dieter), Sarah Conrad (Jeremy), Nathan (Julie), Hannah, and Josiah (Chelsey); ten grandchildren: Asher, Brodie, Finley, Haddon, Rebecca, and Hudson Conrad; Simeon and Anya Wefuan; Judah and Benjamin Bowen; his mother, Beverly; and his brother, Brian.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2022 at Bethany Baptist Church in Sedalia, MO. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 500 N. Park, Sedalia, MO 65301, in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.