Ernest Hooper Bowling Jr., 89, of Dillwyn, died at home May 13, 2017 following a courageous battle with stomach cancer. He was born November 10, 1927 in Jonesville, the son of Ernest Hooper Bowling and Sarah Johns Bowling. He has lived at Oak Grove Farm in Buckingham County since 1932. 

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rebecca Hines Bowling; daughter, Sarah Frances Bowling; sons, Ernest Hooper Bowling, III and his wife Karen, James Hines Bowling and his wife Sun Bun; granddaughter, Katie Bryant and her husband Benjamin; great-granddaughters, Abigail and Eva Bryant.  He is also survived by sisters Lucy Potts and Harriet Stokes. 

He was preceded in death by a son Benjamin Allen Bowling and a sister Sarah Ipock.

He attended Buckingham Central High School and was a graduate of Virginia Tech.  He was a World War II veteran and retired as District Conservationist with the Soil Conservation Service. He was a lifetime farmer.

He was a member of New Store Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder, clerk of session and Sunday school teacher.

A celebration of his life will be held at New Store Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 16 at 3 p.m., with visitation from 2 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to New Store Presbyterian Church, c/o Bettie Bass Mitchell, 3221 Buckingham Springs Road, Dillwyn, Virginia, 23936, or a favorite charity.