Winchester, Va. - Mr. Walter Lee (Buck) Sowers, who was a longtime business and community leader in Bluefield, Va., died peacefully on April 27, 2025 in Winchester, Va. He was 85.

Buck was born on January 6, 1940 in Princeton, W.Va., to Eula Hedrick Sowers and Walter Peck (Shorty) Sowers. He grew up in Bluefield, and was a multi-sport athlete at Bluefield High School. He enjoyed telling the story about how he once scored 19 points in high school against Jerry West (who in turn scored 35 points on Buck). Buck attended Greenbrier Military Institute before enrolling at the Georgia Institute of Technology on a basketball scholarship. During Buck's sophomore season, Georgia Tech was runner up in the Southeastern Conference and played in the NCAA basketball tournament for the first time in school history. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. Buck was a lifelong avid supporter of Georgia Tech athletics.

After briefly attending graduate school in Ohio and working in Boston, Buck returned to Bluefield to work with his father at Pocahontas Welding Supply. Buck soon reconnected with a high school acquaintance, Louisa Keesee, at a Christmas party that Louisa and her sister Carol hosted. Buck and Louisa were married at Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield, W.Va., on September 4, 1965. They later welcomed a daughter Catherine, a son, Walt, and four Irish Setters (Fred, Patrick, Lady, and Holly).

Buck served as President at Pocahontas Welding Supply. He then worked for Pemco Corp., where he served as President and CEO, and later Chairman, until his retirement in 2017.

Buck grew up in the First Christian Church and later joined Christ Episcopal Church, which was Louisa's lifelong parish. He served on the Vestry at CEC as both Junior and Senior Warden, and as trustee. His faith and his church were important mainstays in his life.

Buck was an avid golfer and card player (gin rummy and bridge). He was a long-time tournament official for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph - now Pocahontas - Men's Amateur Golf Tournament, where he took sinister pride in placing pins in challenging locations. He made many lifelong friends on the golf course, especially at Fincastle Country Club where he was the Green Chairman. Buck was actively involved in community and public service, including volunteering for the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, the Union Mission, and serving on the Bluefield, Va., town council. He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of First Century (earlier First National) Bank and Flat Top Insurance.

Buck thoroughly enjoyed a great round of golf, a glass of Bordeaux, watching college basketball, relaxing at Kiawah Island in the winter and Belle Acres in the summer, chili dogs from Dairy Queen, and spending time with family and friends. Buck enjoyed meeting people and making new friends wherever he went. He had an incredible knack for remembering people's names. His greatest joy in life was being with his four grandchildren, Luke, Cate, Maddie, and Annie, and taking interest in everything they did. We will always remember Granddaddy telling his grandchildren that he "loved them to death."

Buck was preceded in death by his wife of more than 55 years, Louisa Keesee Sowers; and brother, Richard L. (Dicky) Sowers. He is survived by daughter Catherine (Jeff) Beemer of Nashville, Tenn.; son, Walter P. (Kelly) Sowers II of Winchester, Va.; grandchildren Luke Beemer, Cate Beemer, Madeleine Sowers and Anneliese Sowers; sister, Susan Johnson of Ft. Myers, Fla.; sister-in-law, Becky Sowers of Bluefield, W.Va.; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and his special caregiver, Lori Ravencroft.

Funeral will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 11:30 am at Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield, W.Va., with the Rev. Paul Barker and the Rev. Cn. Chad Slater officiating. Interment will follow at the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church. All those attending are invited to a reception following the funeral in Rowley Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts in memory of Buck be made to Christ Episcopal Church.