William Nowlin Jr.

A Time to Be Born

William Elber Nowlin Jr. was born on September 2, 1932, in Man, West Virginia, to William Elber Nowlin Sr. and Irene Harmon-Heard.

A Time to Live

William loved the Lord with all his heart and was a member and Deacon at the First Church of God under the leadership of Bishop Timothy Clark. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and went on to earn his Electrical Engineering degree from The Ohio State University. He had a brilliant and creative mind; he worked at Western Electric until his retirement. During his time there, he invented the Mitergage and the Smoke Removal System for house fires and was developing a third invention before his passing.

William was passionate about many things. He was an avid fan of NFL football, baseball, and especially OSU football his favorite college team. He loved inventing, had a deep appreciation for teaching, and shared his knowledge with students at Columbus State Community College. He also enjoyed western movies and had a lifelong dream of learning to play the electric guitar, so his family made sure he got one. William treasured memory rides and had a fondness for dining at Texas Roadhouse and MCL Cafeteria.

A Time to Love

William was blessed to have shared his life with two great loves. He was married to Margaret Nowlin for 32 years until her passing in 2000, and later to Mary Doretha Brown, with whom he shared 22 wonderful years before her passing in 2023.

He is lovingly survived by his cherished daughter, Shelley Hopson; granddaughters Alicia (Justin) Hopkins and Elianna Hopson; and great-grandchildren Maliyah Britton, Khyale Britton, Nyla Hopkins, Zaria Hopkins, Zaleah Hopkins, and Justin Hopkins.

William was preceded in death by his parents, William Elber Nowlin Sr. and Irene Harmon-Heard; stepfather Herbert Heard; his brother, Charles Nowlin; his first wife, Margaret Nowlin; and his second wife, Doretha Brown Nowlin.

A Time to Depart

On June 31, 2025, William peacefully passed away in Columbus, Ohio, and entered eternal rest. He is now reunited with his loved ones in glory a place where peace knows no end, the music plays on, and joy lasts forever….