Stowell joins Veterans Hall of Fame

#MiddleburyCT #Veterans #VeteransHallOfFame #USNavy

Left to right, Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John, Bill Stowell, Karen Stowell and State Senator Joan Hartley chat following Bill’s induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame January 23. (Submitted photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Middlebury’s William J. “Bill” Stowell, a U.S. Navy veteran, was among 14 veterans inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame at the Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium on the campus of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill January 23. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz placed a medallion around his neck, and the Connecticut director of veterans’ affairs presented him with a plaque. The Hall of Fame honors Connecticut residents who served as members of the U.S. Armed Forces and continued to make significant impacts in their communities after leaving military service.

Stowell said, “I am so honored to have been selected to be in the Veterans Hall of Fame. I would never have thought I would be selected to be in the Hall.”

Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John, who nominated Stowell for the honor, said Stowell is to be commended for his career in the military and his many contributions to the town.

“There are so many veterans from Connecticut who have continued their generosity even after leaving military service by volunteering in their communities and providing leadership that has helped improve the lives of others in many ways,” Governor Lamont said in a press release. “The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is a way we can celebrate the many veterans in our state who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have truly made a lasting impact. I congratulate the 14 veterans who are being inducted this year and I thank each of them for everything they have provided to our nation and the State of Connecticut.”

Known to most as Bill and to some as “Mr. Bill,” Stowell grew up in Middlebury, leaving only to serve in the U.S. Navy for 24 years. When he left the Navy and returned to Middlebury, he began to give countless hours of service to both the town and to his church, St. George’s Episcopal Church, while working full time. He continues that service to this day, and said he does it because he wants to pay back all that the military and the town of Middlebury have done for him.

“When I went into the service and left Middlebury, I didn’t know if I’d ever come back,” he said. “In 24 years, people didn’t forget me. Every time I came back, it was as if I’d never left. I needed to repay the town by volunteering to do stuff.”

He said the church was always special to him, especially when he went to Vietnam. The church always supported him, giving him a serviceman’s prayer book and a serviceman’s cross when he enlisted. He carries the cross in his wallet to this day.

The Oakville VFW also supported him, sending him a free membership when he was in Vietnam. He said they continued to give him a free membership all the years he served in the Navy, starting in 1967. Two years after he retired and became a paying member, he said he won a lifetime membership in the VFW.

Stowell said he was thankful to St. John, who attended his induction ceremony, for nominating him for the honor.

Stowell became a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1964 while he was a student at Woodbury High School. He started his career as an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of chief petty officer. After 12 years of enlisted service, he was promoted to the rank of Ensign Supply Corps under the Limited Duty Officer Program.

Both Stowell’s enlisted and officer services were in logistics. During his military career, he served on five naval ships, as well as completing two tours in Vietnam, holding two major staff positions. After his first tour with the Seabees, he was assigned as an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy, which required intensive language training. He received numerous medals and awards, including the Meritorious Service medal, three Navy Commendation medals, and three Navy achievement medals. He retired in June of 1988 as a lieutenant commander after 24 years of service.

After retirement from the Navy, Mr. Stowell worked as the business manager for Regional School District 16, managing a $30 million budget and overseeing human resources, food service, transportation, and facilities management. After retirement from Region 16, he was asked to return as a consultant to oversee the building of a $60 million new elementary school.

His service continued for the Town of Middlebury, where he held positions of chairman of the Board of Finance and the Planning and Zoning Commission, treasurer of the Library Board, member of the Middlebury Retirement Committee, and veteran member of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department. He presently serves as the municipal veterans representative for the Town of Middlebury. He has worked tirelessly for the past 35 years at St. George’s Episcopal Church, serving as treasurer, past senior warden, and vestry member. He was honored with being named the church’s first verger in 2013.

He and his wife, Karen, have two children and four grandchildren.