William A. “Bubba” McGowan, 88 died at his home on November 19, 2016. He was born September 21, 1928 in Blakely, Georgia to Albert Homer and Viola Childs McGowan. They moved to Dothan, Alabama where he grew up with his three older sisters. He attended Dothan High School where he played football. He then came to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida and played football for The Gators. That is where he met and married his wife, June. He graduated in 1952, and served in the army for 2 years. They moved back to Gainesville where he taught and coached football at Gainesville High School. In 1959 they moved to Tallahassee, Florida where he coached football for FSU. In 1964, they moved back to Gainesville where he has lived since then. He coached football for the University of Florida Gators from 1964- 1971. Afterwards he briefly owned his own business, McGowan’s Distributors. In 1975, he returned to teaching and coaching football. First at Santa Fe High School in Alachua, and then at Buchholz High School in Gainesville where he remained until he retired in 2002. “Coach Bubba” made a major impact on so many people’s lives as he was often told. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who took great pride in his work and in his family. He was married to his loving wife, June Combs McGowan for 60 years before she passed away in 2012. He is also preceded in death by his oldest grandson, Chance William Wolf, who passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his son, William A. McGowan, Jr. “Bam”, his daughter Gina McGowan Wolf (Rodney), as well as his beloved grandchildren, Kaley Erin Wolf, and Trace Austin Wolf. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday November 22, 2016 at the Milam Funeral Home Chapel, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow in Forest Meadows East Cemetery.
