About

Before retirement in 2023, Bill Bowes spent 38 years serving our communities as a member of the fire service. From 1984 – early 2006, Bill served in the Omaha Fire Department in many capacities – Firefighter, Instructor, Paramedic, Captain, and Battalion Chief. In 2006, Bill was appointed the second full-time Chief of the Papillion Fire Department and in 2010 he oversaw the transition from a volunteer fire service to a full-time professional fire department. In 2014, Bill Bowes was instrumental in the merger of the Papillion and La Vista Fire Departments, helping to form a model public safety organization for the protection of the fastest growing metropolitan area in Nebraska at the time.

During his time in the fire service, Bill Bowes honed his skills through training and real-world experience in emergency response, helping to develop a culture of teamwork and resilience while training and mentoring younger firefighters and paramedics. As Papillion-La Vista Fire Chief, Bill oversaw operations, developed and administered budgets, implemented innovative team-development practices and safety protocols, and guided the department through an era of growth and excellence.

Prior to his fire service career, Bill was a math and science teacher at Bellevue Christian Academy. He also coached girls volleyball and boys soccer.

A Sarpy County resident for over 30 years, Bill Bowes’ roots run deep in our community. Bill’s late wife, Debbie Waugh Bowes, their three children, and one grandchild (so far) all proudly graduated from Papillion-La Vista Public Schools. Bill has also donated his time and leadership generously in support of numerous community and faith-based organizations. Bill Bowes currently serves as Vice-President of the Papillion-La Vista Optimists Club, as a Facilitator for GriefShare, and on the Boards of Bellewood Courts Senior Living, Tribe Church, and Nebraska 117. In the past Bill served as an EMS Instructor for the Civil Air Patrol, on the United Way Community Investment Review Team, and as a coach and mentor to the South Omaha and Bellevue Soccer Clubs. He was a team member of the Legacy Veterans Garden Project out of the Leadership Sarpy program. This team planned, implemented, and fund-raised for the memorial garden at the Eastern Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Bellevue.

Bill Bowes and his wife Julie Schenzel Bowes reside in La Vista and together they have seven children and nine grandchildren.