06/08/2026
It was the middle of the night in Port St. Joe, Florida when the smoke filled an apartment from floor to ceiling.
His name was Walter Bowers III, and he was 34 years old. People who knew him called him Boug. He was a father of three, and that night two of his children, ages 5 and 10, were home and asleep beside him. He had been getting ready to cook some chicken wings, with a pot of oil on the stove, when he drifted off.
A fire started from that pot. When officers arrived, they found him in the hallway and one of his children close by at the door. Two neighbors rushed in and pulled a child to safety and handed the little one to an officer. First responders got everyone out and flew the family to the hospital.
The two children are expected to make a full recovery. His mother, Tammy Bowers, shared the update that her son did not survive. He passed away on Wednesday night.
She said that even while grieving her son, she holds on to the fact that her two grandchildren are healthy and happy. She believes seeing them doing well is exactly what Boug would have wanted.
If you would like to help the family, you can look up "Prayers and Support for the Bowers Family" on GoFundMe.
What do you think those two children should grow up knowing about the father who was right there beside them that night?