William Alvin Bowles (1886-1926) was a farmer and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The oldest son in a family of eight children, William Alvin Bowles was born April 22, 1886 on a small ranch in Nephi, Utah. William worked on the family’s ranch and farm until his departure in the fall of 1906 for New Zealand where he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Following his return from New Zealand in the spring of 1910, William married Catherine Bailey on November 17, 1910 in the Salt Lake City, Utah, LDS Temple. Like William, Catherine was born and raised in Nephi. Following their marriage, William and Catherine lived in Salt Lake City for three years, where William was foreman on a large farm owned by a Mr. Gunn. During this period, Catherine kept the farm accounts and prepared dinner for Mr. Gunn. After the birth of their daughter, Virginia Bowles, the family returned to Nephi where William farmed and worked for the Bonneville Lumber Company.

William and Catherine had three children: Virginia Bowles Keeler, Catherine Bowles, and Geraldine Bowles Barker. Throughout his life, William took an active role in the ecclesiastical activities of his local Mormon ward (the Nephi Center Ward) and stake (the Juab Stake). William served as a ward clerk, a stake missionary, and as a counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association. Remembered by his wife and children as a loving husband and father, William died of a ruptured appendix on October 3, 1926.