Obituary: Sandra Lee “Sandy” (King) Bowman
Sandra Lee “Sandy” (King) Bowman (February 28, 1946 – August 26, 2024)
Sandra Lee “Sandy” (King) Bowman of Manchester, Michigan, age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024, at her home. She was born February 28, 1946, in Ypsilanti, the daughter of Elmer and Ethel (Wolff) King. Sandy worked at the GM Assembly Plant in Willow Run until her retirement. Later, she worked with Billy at Time Trek Motorsports (from 1991 to 2001) and then for Jim Bradley from 2001 to 2010. She and Billy bowled at Belleville Lanes, Taylor Lanes, and Ypsi-Arbor Lanes. She shot skeet for three years and won many awards.
Sandy had a love for fast cars and she was right at home with Billy and his fast cars. Sandy wanted to race but women were not allowed to race in competition. Sandy went on street races with Billy and they spent their weekends at Milan Dragway in Milan. Once a year Milan Dragway had a race for women only that was called the “Powder Puff Race.” Sandy entered each race and won every race she entered. In 1988, Sandy raced her 1987 IROC Camaro street car in the Street Class and won the points, which qualified her to go to Bristol, Tennessee, to IHRA ET Bracket Finals. Sandy managed to win three rounds, which was a big help in the team winning the Championship. Sandy was awarded the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. In 1989, Sandy started racing every weekend and became one of the most consistent and feared racers in the Sportsman Class. Sandy competed in her first, and only, national event, the IHRA “Northern Nationals,” in 1989, and was runner-up. Sandy’s racing friends gave her the nickname “The Granny From Ypsilanti” as she and Billy lived in Ypsilanti at the time. Sandy won 48 races, 18 runners-up, and 25 semifinalist finishes. Sandy was the Female Driver of the Year in 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1994, and won 2 Points Championships from 1988 to 1999. Sandy finished in the top 5 every year until she and Billy retired from racing in 1999.
On September 17, 1966, she married Billy Bowman, and he survives. She is also survived by her son, Jimmy (Becky) King of Nashua, N.H.; her daughter, Lisa (Phil) Bowman-Pintar of Mikado; a step-son, William Bowman of Pine Grove, Ky.; a step-daughter, Jane (Arnie) Cadd of Newport; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a sister, Linda Bailey; sisters-in-law, Norma Jean Foley and Sharon Kay Workman; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel on Thursday, August 29, from 2 to 8pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Sandy’s family (checks to “Billy Bowman”).
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