Who was Bill Gower?

Peter Newell

Peter Newell writes:

Following the recent visit by Crawley Circle to Bexhill Circle for the annual Bill Gower Dinner, the most frequently asked question is always: Who was Bill Gower?  

Bill joined the Catenian Association in 1936 as a member of Sutton Mid-Surrey Circle. In 1940 he transferred to Wigan Circle. Returning to Sutton in 1946, he served as Secretary 1947-1949, and as President 1950-51 and 1951-1952. He transferred to Hastings in 1956, and became President in 1952. He transferred to Bexhill in 1971 to become founder Vice-President. However, due to the untimely death of President-elect Eric Stewart, Bill took over as founder President.

On the death of Bill in 1974, Bexhill Circle decided to honour his great joy of visiting other Circles by awarding a Trophy and Scroll to the Circle in Province 18 with the greatest number of visits to other circles, calculated on a per capita basis annually.

I am genuinely saddened that so many brothers are unable, for whatever reason, to visit their brothers in other Circles both within or without Province 18. To the non-visitor, a name in the obituary pages of Catena or elsewhere is just that, a name. To the regular visitor, it is a close friend, someone you have laughed with, debated with, dined with, wined with, shared with, and most importantly, a dear friend you have prayed with. Visiting must surely be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of Catenian Membership.

I know Bill Gower would have shared that sentiment with me.