William "Sam" Samuel Nowlin's Obituary
WILLIAM SAMUEL “Sam” NOWLIN, 42, passed away in Willits, California on June 24 from injuries sustained in a job site ATV accident. A native Memphian, Sam had lived for the last four years in Northern California. Sam was preceded in death by his father, George G. Nowlin, Jr.; his maternal grandparents, Samuel E. Virden, II and Edith D. Virden, his paternal grandfather, George G. Nowlin, Sr., and his uncle, Samuel E. Virden, III. He is survived by his mother Margaret V. Handwerker, his stepfather Dan H. Handwerker, sister Allison V. Ward (Paul) of Narrowsburg, New York and grandmother Virginia W. Nowlin of Memphis. Sam attended Christ United Methodist Day School, St. Dominic School, Christian Brothers High School, and Rhodes College. Over the years Sam was a voracious reader and developed his building and gardening skills to professional level. He shared a love of music with his late uncle and was an active athlete. He had as a constant companion, Aja, a stray pup he rescued off the streets in Midtown; they were inseparable for 17 years and Aja was with Sam at his death. Sam had an adventurous spirit and traveled widely, but Northern California was where he felt most at home. After completing two large family projects in Memphis in 2008, he moved to Northern California. In only a month he knew more about Mendocino County than friends from Memphis who had lived there two years. In the almost four years he lived there, he became an important contributor to his new extended family in California. A memorial gathering was held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in the town of Ft. Bragg. It was remarkable the number of families who attended who considered Sam a brother. He was always their go-to-guy when they needed support. He enthusiastically embraced life with an energy unequaled and was known for his dedication to and love for his family and friends. His keen wit and humor, his bright smile, and his great hugs were appreciated by all who knew him. Sam will join his father in a private interment on Friday, July 13. Visitation for friends and family will be at Christ United Methodist Church, Wilson Chapel on Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m. with service to follow at 11 a.m. Sam’s ashes will also be spread over his sister’s property overlooking the hamlet of Callicoon, New York and the Delaware River where Sam and Paul, Allison’s husband, had planned to build their home. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Fund to Benefit the Hartwell Children, c/o Eagle Bank, Jefferson Square, De Soto, Missouri, 63020. The fund has been established for the children of Sam’s first cousin, whose husband was lost the same day as Sam’s death. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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