William Curtis Cowart

COWART FOLEY, AL. William Curtis (Billy) Cowart, age 64, a resident of Foley, AL., passed away Friday, December 11, 2015 after a long illness. Billy was raised in Foley and graduated from Foley High in 1969. After graduation he joined the Navy, serving from 1970-1974. Three months after being discharged, he was on his way to the first day of class at Faulkner and was involved in a car accident, which left him paralyzed. He spent many months in the hospital and a rehabilitation center. While at the rehab center he helped organize the 1stWheelchair Basketball Team in Mobile. After being released, Billy returned to Faulkner and continued on to USA in Mobile, where he received his degree in psychology. In 1982 he became president of the AL-MS chapter of the PVA. Later he took a job as National Advisor for the PVA in Montgomery. Billy also became involved in wheelchair racing, snow skiing, scuba diving, archery, and he even went to the Wheelchair Olympics. He won many trophies and medals for his loved activities. Billy showed so much determination in all he did, he did not let his handicap slow him down, he would say “I figured out that there were lots of people who couldn’t do the things I could do, and that I should be thankful for what I have”. He was a remarkable man. He was preceded in death by his father Curtis Cowart, and his brother, David Cowart. Billy is survived by his mother, Betty Thomas; brother, Keith (Terry) Cowart of Sylacauga, AL., Albert (Diedre) Cowart of Elberta, AL., sister; Judy Hamburg of Foley, step-brother; Bill (Teresa) Thomas, and Bryant (Christie) Thomas of Foley, step sisters: Ann Webb of Silverhill and Susie Thomas of Fairhope, nephews: Kris, Jon, Ben and Will Cowart and JC Hamburg, niece: Lauren Cowart and many other relatives and friends. A special thank you to his nurses Chris and Trish from Gentiva Home Health and Lynn Harkey for all their help and support. Funeral service will be held from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley, Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 2:00pm. Visitation will be held from Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from1:00pm until time of service. Interment will follow at Pine Rest Memorial Park. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 2551 S. MCKENZIE STREET FOLEY, AL 36535 (251)943-2391 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com