William Bernard Bowens, Sr. was born on April 2, 1967. He was born in Dallas, Texas to the late Lora Bowens and the late Samuel T. Hopkins.
William accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church. He received his formal education in DISD Public Schools and was a graduate of L. G. Pinkston High School – Class of 1985. After graduation he enlisted into the United States Army and served many tours during the Desert Storm era. At the age of 18 he developed a lifelong love for music and became affectionately known as DJ Lyfe.
In his early years he welcomed three sons: William Bowens, Jr., Brandon Bowens, and Kevon Dorsey. He was later married to Veronica Serna. To this union four children were born: Prince Bowens, LaTiffany Bowens, Donte Bowens, and Rafael Bowens, Sr. He later married his devoted wife, Belinda Rojas Bowens, and together they shared seventeen beautiful years of marriage, and he became a stepfather to Justo (Beatrice) Rojas and Roxie Rojas, along with their adopted daughter, Alliyah Rojas.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lora Loran Bowens; father, Samuel T. Hopkins; grandson, Adrian Rojas; two stepbrothers, Michael Sheely and Samuel Hopkins, Jr.; grandparents, J.C. Bowens, Sr. and Addie M. Bowens; and two uncles, J.D. Bowens and Wilford Bowens.
He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife, Belinda Bowens; his stepfather, James Maddox; one brother, E.J. Maddox; three sisters, Shyrolon Wilson, Tamara Maddox, and Tiffanie Maddox; two half-brothers, Victor Perry and Gregory Hopkins; three half-sisters, Jo Nell Patterson, Demetria Leblanc, and Shakyra Hopkins; eighteen grandchildren, Aniya Bowens, William Bowens, III, Jeremiah Dorsey, Aliayah Dorsey, Kevon Dorsey, Jr., Destiny Bowens, Maliyah Bowens, Israel Bowens, Kimiko Bowens, Ladarian Blackmon, Veronica Bowens, Kaleb Johnson, Ra’King Edwards, Rafael Bowens, Jr., Isaiah Rojas, Justo (Cruz) Rojas, IV, Nirvana (NiNg NiNg) Rojas, and Gianna Vasquez; one great-grandchild, Aviana Rojas; one aunt, LaSondra Bowens; two great-aunts, Dorothy Hubbard and Ernestine Culton (Michael); a very special caregiver, Ms. Claudia Limon; protein maker, Jaiyda Bowens; best friend, Clinton Blade; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2026, at Dallas First Church of the Nazarene, 825 North Cockrell Hill Road, Desoto, Texas, 75115. Early viewing: 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will take place at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
The family will receive guests during a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.