Florence - William Shafer "Jack" Dowis, Jr, 93, died Monday, March 13, 2017.

A graveside service will be Friday, March 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the Prayer Garden of St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Rd, Florence, SC. The family will speak to those attending after the service.

Mr. Dowis was born in Sumter, SC, the son of the late William S Dowis, Sr. and Patricia Bunn Dowis. He attended Wofford College prior to serving in the US Army during WWII. After his tour of duty he returned to continue his education, and graduated from Clemson College in 1950. He was employed by J.R. Sirrine Co. in Greenville, SC from 1950-1954, as an architect and specification writer. In 1954 He moved to Florence, SC and practiced architecture until 2010. He was active in the arts, the church and many civic organizations, and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, both local and statewide. He served on the State Board of Acquisition of the State Art Collection, was the President of the SC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for two terms, and was one of the charter members of the South Carolina Arts Commission. He was an avid artist for more than five decades; his paintings were exhibited throughout the Southeast, and are part of numerous collections.

Surviving are; his wife of 25 years, Kathleen Ferris Dowis; two sons, William S.(Roslyn) Dowis, III, Atlanta, GA, George D. (Kathee) Dowis, James Island, SC; a daughter, Mary D. (Franklin) Finley, Summerville, SC; two step-sons, Edwards L.(Brenda) Bonin, Bentonville, Arkansas, Keith A. Bonin, Florence; two sisters, Sara D.Prince, Spartanburg, Martha D. Bray, Williamsburg, VA; six grandsons and two great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Joyce Dickinson Dowis, a brother, Richard Dowis, and two sisters , Agnes McElrath and Frances Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Foundation, C/O McLeod Hospice, P O Box 100551 Florence, SC 29501 or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Rd, Florence, SC 29501.

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC is assisting the family with arrangements.

Military Honors will be presented by the Veterans Honor Guard of Florence.

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com