William Sowerby

William (Bill) Frederick Sowerby passed away at Agape Care Hospice Home in Landrum, South Carolina on October 10, 2024 at the age of 75 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Before joining our Heavenly Father and those he loved who passed before him, Bill was surrounded by family and friends in his final days. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He was the beloved husband of Jan Sowerby for 33 years. Father to Meaghan Moineau (Brian) and Poppy to Samantha. Brother to Anne (John). Uncle to Jay (Amy) and Heather (Brian). Predeceased by his parents Ross and Irene Sowerby.

Bill was born on July 19, 1949, in Noranda, Quebec. He grew up in Sudbury, Ontario. After graduating from LaSalle Secondary School in 1967, he went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in 1975 in Industrial Administration and Business from Kettering University. While he pursued his undergraduate studies, he was also a co-op student at General Motors Institute of Technology. Thereafter, he received his master's degree in 1981 in Marketing from York University. Bill lived in Whitby, Ontario before relocating to Michigan in the mid 1980's.

Bill was dedicated to his career with General Motors which spanned over 30 years beginning in Canada and ending in the Metro Detroit area. In 2009, he relocated with his wife, Jan, from Michigan to Greenville, South Carolina where he served as Program Director for the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research until 2015.

Bill had an expansive knowledge of automobiles and enjoyed car shows and car clubs with his friends and family. One of his proudest projects involved implementing OnStar in General Motors vehicles from the software's inception. Meaghan still remembers sitting in the first vehicle offering OnStar services and hearing her father ask for directions to a nearby location.

Bill also had a deep passion for music including playing saxophone and accordion in his youth as well as organ and piano throughout adulthood. He introduced his daughter to piano, and it was a passion they shared together along with his wife for many years. Bill played melodies on the piano for other residents while he stayed at Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care throughout the final year of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed listening to his endless collection of vinyl records and would often dance and tap his foot along to the music.

Bill also enjoyed playing cards and board games throughout his lifetime especially Rummy, SkipBo, and Farkle.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care in Greenville, SC and Agape Care - Upstate Community Hospice House for the care and compassion they showed Bill. This support helped Bill and his family tremendously as he transitioned through the end of his life.