Harris Bowen, 75, of Weirsdale, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 at The Villages Regional Hospital.

Born in Bowdon, Ga., he came to the area in 1991 from Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Bowen had retired from Piedmont Airlines after 27 years as a pilot. He was a member of Twin Cessna Flyers Assoc., Piedmont Silver Eagles Assoc., Stearman Restorers Assoc., Experimental Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assoc., and Antique Airplane Assoc. While flying for Piedmont he was contracted to L & N Railroads to be a corporate pilot and mechanic. He earned the Master Pilot Award and Master Mechanic Award from the FAA. He loved flying, wood working and restoring antique cars. Mr. Bowen served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Bowen of Weirsdale; sons, Miles C. (Karen) Bowen of Tehacapi, Calif., Jeffery H. (Nikki) Bowen of McDonough, Ga., Carl R. (Andrea) Bowen of Gastonia, N.C.; sister, Betty Hough of Flat Rock, Mich.; granddaughters, Jeanine Bowen, Amanda Bowen, Rebecca Bowen, Reba Bowen; grandsons, Michael Bowen and John Bowen. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.

Burial was at the Buchanan City Cemetery in Buchanan, Ga. Harris was wearing his yellow Stearman Fly-In shirt when he was laid to rest.

Contributions may be made to Silver Eagles Charitable Funds, Inc., 13115 Centennial Commons Highway, Huntersville, NC 28078-4605, 704-766-0947.