"Some members of the Central Texas DX & Contest Club in its formative years may recall Austin attorney William ("Wil") Cowan, W5HNV, an occasionally active DXer, who often attended our early meetings. Wil became a Silent Key on February 12, at the age of 87." - John Warren NT5C

[Quoted from the Austin American-Statesman, February 17, 2007]:

William Harold Cowan, 87, passed away February, 12, 2007. Born July 21, 1919 in New York City, New York, Wil was a WWII Veteran and served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard's Merchant Marines. After the war, he remained in Austin as a practicing attorney. He was an active participant in Texas politics during his profession and was responsible for repealing the motorcycle helmet law in the state of Texas during the 1970's. He later became an advisor to the Texas Veterans Administration. He was an active UT Alumni making generous contributions to the UT Hearing Center for research and development. Wil was an avid hunter, motorcyclist, world traveler and adored railroads and model trains. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mae Davis Cowan (1978), son Will Jr. (2001), daughter Roberta (2003), and second wife Norma Lovell Cowan (2005). He is survived by his son Walter, daughter Penny Rand, daughter-in-law Holiday (Holly) Hull Cowan, step-children Steve Lovell and Jan Bond, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Thank you for everything, Wil, we love you and will miss you.