Long time Cincinnati area fan, Bill Bowers, passed away early on April 18, 2005.

Four times nominated for the Best Fanzine Hugo, his well known fanzines included Double:Bill (with Bill Mallardi) and Outworlds. He was a Guest of Honor at several science fiction conventions, including Fan Guest of Honor at the 1978 World Science Fiction Convention.

In 1976 Bill tied with Roy Tackett as winner of the TransAtlantic Fan Fund (TAFF), but there was only money for one to travel and Bill withdrew. The TAFF administrators offered Bill the opportunity to finally take his TAFF trip in 2001, on the Silver Anniversary of his original TAFF win, but he was unable to make the trip.