William J. Bowen Sr.
Cite this Page
"William J. Bowen Sr.," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1065.
- Position
- Butler
- Years in President's House
- circa 1957
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Biography
- William John Bowen Sr. was born on January 18, 1898 in North Carolina. (1) During World War I, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served as a mess cook. (2) After his discharge from the Navy in 1920, he continued to work for the Navy as a civilian clerk at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., until at least 1950. (3)
Information about his work at the White House is scarce. His son, William Bowen Jr., began working at the White House as a butler in 1957 and claimed on several occasions later in his life that his father also worked there as a butler and recruited him for the job. Bowen Sr. apparently taught his son what he termed the “code of silence” for White House employees: “Pay attention and don’t be talking to people while on your assignment . . . Don’t unnecessarily engage some of the guests unless they speak to you.” (4) His son’s statement suggests Bowen Sr. worked at the White House by 1957 at least. However, no records can be found of Bowen Sr. on White House staff lists. He may have been a part-time butler brought to the White House for special events, perhaps detailed from his job with the Navy. But the dates of his time at the Residence, including when he began and ended his tenure, are unknown at this time.
Bowen Sr. passed away on January 11, 1973 in Washington, D.C. (5) - (1) “William J. Bowen” on Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/81547060/person/30440470057/facts?_phsrc=KCT1547&_phstart=successSource.
(2) “William John Bowen” in the North Carolina, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61958/records/84873?tid=&pid=&queryId=8e1b3dc9-5753-46db-878b-f3bb5f07d381&_phsrc=KCT1538&_phstart=successSource.
(3) “William J Bowen” in the 1930 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page 9B; Enumeration District: 0009; fhl microfilm: 2340027. Accessed via Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/records/121390968?tid=&pid=&queryId=730cc202-06bd-4588-9e64-d53532d15a1e&_phsrc=KCT1532&_phstart=successSource; “William J Bowen” in the 1940 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Washington, D.C.; Roll: m-t0627-00s553; Page: 9A; Enumeration District:1-28; Accessed via Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/981828?tid=&pid=&queryId=8d1f3c06-4f56-41aa-99b3-32c9147e4456&_phsrc=KCT1553&_phstart=successSource; “William J Bowen” in the 1950 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Washington, D.C.; Roll: 2136; Page 20; Enumeration District: 1-61. Accessed via Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62308/records/15324003?tid=81547060&pid=30440470057&ssrc=pt.
(4) “Blacks in the White House: Slavery and Service,” NBC News, December 8, 2008, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28109794; “Former White House Butler Shares Memories,” interview, Associated Press, Youtube video, published December 8, 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38U-vBWUaFE.
(5) “William J. Bowen” on Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/81547060/person/30440470057/facts?_phsrc=KCT1547&_phstart=successSource. - Birthplace
- North Carolina, USA