"Uncle Billy" McDowell celebrated his 85th birthday in 1903 with a big family gathering. He had been born November 3, 1818.

Left: Grave marker for William B. McDowell who died in 1904 and his wife Mary Jane, who died in 1903. Welborn Cemetery, Moundville.

William McDowell died Friday, September 2, 1904, at his home near Moundville. He was eighty-four years old and one of Vernon County's oldest residents. He had come to the county in 1870 and settled within two miles of the place he lived. "Uncle Billy" was believed to be the oldest Mason in Vernon County. His children who survived were Mrs. E. F. Black, Sidell, Illinois; Mrs. John Symns, Nevada; Mrs. W. B. Martin, Bronaugh; James McDowell, Liberal; William McDowell, Dakota; Alonzo McDowell, Sidell, Illinois, S. A. McDowell, Vernon County; Mrs. John Funk, Bronaugh; Otis McDowell, Bronaugh; Miss Bertha McDowell, Joplin and Mrs. Libbie Mobley, Sherwin, Kansas. The Bronaugh Masonic lodge attended his funeral on Saturday afternoon at Welborn Cemetery. His wife, Mary Jane, had died April 9, 1903 and was buried at Welborn Cemetery.

Otis McDowell and Miss Sarah E. Decoursey who were both from Moundville and were married one Wednesday afternoon in October 1901.