Funeral services for William James Dowsett Jr., 89, of Moline, will be at 10:00 AM Monday, January 21, 2008 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, East Moline. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Mausoleum, East Moline. Visitation will be 2-5:30 PM Sunday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline where a rosary will be recited at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers and statuary, memorials may be made to St. Anne's Church. William died Friday, January 18 at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline. He was born June 25, 1918 in Rock Island, IL, the son of William and Grace (Myers) Dowsett Sr. He graduated from St. Anne School in 1932 and United Township High School in East Moline in 1936. On May 9, 1942, he married Dorothy Cornelius in St. Mary's Catholic Church, East Moline. He was employed by Moline Iron Works, Moline and after graduation from the Rock Island Arsenal machinist school, he was employed as a tool-maker at American Machine and Metals, East Moline. In World War II, he served in the Navy aboard the Battleship Indiana. He was in the South Pacific in the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima. After returning from active duty in 1946, he founded East Moline Metal Products Company where he served as President and Chairman of the Board. He was founding partner of D&G Real Estate and QC Metal Pickling in East Moline and Vision Pickling, Waterman, IL. William was active in church and community affairs. He was Chief Ranger of St. Anne's Catholic Order of Foresters and served on the building committee of the church and convent. He also was a member of East Moline Rotary Club and a past president. In 1996, he was named Rotarian of the Year. He was also a past President of the former East Moline-Silvis Association of Commerce and a board member of the Illinois Manufacturer's Association. For 20 years, he served as a board member of the Quad City Metropolitan Airport Authority. He had been a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in East Moline since its inception. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and Short Hills Country Club for over 50 years. Mr. Dowsett spent the winter months in Coral Springs, Florida. In retirement, he and Dorothy traveled quite extensively and he became very involved in genealogy research. People will remember Bill for his business acumen and quick wit. Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Connie Dowsett (Bernie Tadda), Moline, Lori Dowsett (Dan Fernandez), East Moline; sons, Patrick (Karen), Moline, James (Mary), Rapids City, Chip (Renee), Sartell, MN; 10 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; sister, Betty Conover of Port Charlotte, FL; brother Jay (Velma)of Silvis. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Dowsett Tragarz, sister, Margaret Dowsett and his parents. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com