William Miles Lowe's Obituary
William (Bill) Miles Lowe, Sr., of Annapolis, Maryland, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Bill was born on August 22, 1942, to William E. and Isabel Maddox Lowe in Crisfield, Maryland.
For the first 10 years of his life, Bill lived with his family in Ocean City, Maryland. He and his brother, Bob, spent summers on their grandparent's farm in Crisfield where they had many fond memories. Later the family moved to Landover, and Bill graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1960.
Bill joined the Navy at age 17 immediately following his graduation. Although he received the highest score recorded at the time on the entrance exam, the swimming test was another story. When his turn came to swim across the pool, he jumped in and had to be pulled out. Cleverly sneaking into the completed line, his military career began. Bill was deployed on a destroyer during the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of the naval quarantine. He was awarded two medals of honor during his brief service, and upon discharge from the Navy in 1963, he began his civilian career. Bill worked for multiple companies, including NASA, as a highly-touted computer specialist. He was sent to Japan in the early 70’s as the Japanese relied on his computer expertise. Fond of his time in the Navy, he returned to the Naval Academy in 1976. He accumulated numerous awards over his career, and he retired as the head of the Weapons Systems and Engineering department in 2006.
On September 30, 1961, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Diane King, and soon they started a family. A devoted husband and father, he always put his family’s needs above his own, even juggling three jobs for a time.
He was a model father, never missing his children’s sporting events, assisting with his sons scouting troops and participating in Daddy-daughter dances. On a shoe-string budget, he and Diane took the family on weekend camping trips, in addition to a longer camping trip in the summer, compliments of their tax return.
A devout Christian, Bill truly walked out his faith. He could often be found on the back porch before work, reading his well-worn Bible. “Studying for the final,” as he called it. He gave generously both to the church and to the needy. He went on mission trips to the Ukraine and Russia, and with his wife served at a mission/homeless shelter in DC. He loved to lead worship, and he gave of himself in many other ways too numerous to mention.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 63 years, Diane, their daughter Lisa, sons Bill Jr. (Sonja), Chris (Dana), Jon (Stacey), and Michael; grandchildren Madison, Rebecca, Christopher, Anna, Lucy, and Jude, as well as great-granddaughter Ivy. He is also survived by one brother, Robert (Cheryl).
With his warm smile and sense of humor Bill acquired many friends over the years, and he will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30th at 4:30 pm at CrossPointe Church, 365 Jones Station Road, Arnold, MD 21012 followed by a light dinner in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church in Bill’s name. Arrangements by Lasting Tributes Funeral Home of Annapolis.
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