William “Jake” Edward Sowards, 74, of Salt Rock, WV, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021. He was born December 12, 1946 in Cabell County, WV, a son of the late William O. and Malta M. Boyd Sowards. He was a proud union boilermaker in Local 249 with CSX and a founding member of Salt Rock Volunteer Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy S. Blake Sowards, sisters Bobbie Hawkins and Peggy Butcher. He is survived by his beloved dog, Bruno; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Steve Perry of Powell, OH; sons Johnny Sowards of Salt Rock, WV, and William Sowards II of Aliquippa, PA; sisters, Ruth Midkiff of Huntington, WV, Reba (Dave) Gothard of Cary, NC, Carol Fuller of Kenova, WV, and Patricia (Gary) Hesson of Middletown, PA; brothers, Buckley Sowards of Palm Beach, FL and David (Liza) Sowards of Barboursville, WV; grandchildren Blake Sowards, Brandi Beckett, Michael Sowards, Marissa Sowards, Ashlee Sowards, Kaitlyn Sowards, Jacob Sowards, Nicholas Perry, Joshua Perry; thirteen great-grandchildren; and cherished friends, Mark Tackett, Natasha Nida, and Scott Dean. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, WV. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Baylous Cemetery. The family requests that all Covid-19 guidelines are strictly followed, including required masks and social distancing .In lieu of flowers, please donate in Bill’s memory to www.cancercare.org/donate-now. Bill was an organ donor and would encourage everyone to consider giving the gift of life. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
