Chief Miles R. Bowers, 91, surrounded by his loving family went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Miles was born in Hampton, SC on June 13, 1926 and was the son of the late Lewis & Mattie Goethe Bowers. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving in World War II. Chief Bowers joined the Jacksonville Fire Department in 1946 and retired in 2004 with 57 years service. Bowers served as Fire Chief from 1984 -1988 and was named one of the top five chiefs in the United States by Fire Chief Executive Magazine. His second term as head of the department in 2003 was by Mayoral special request and brief due to impending retirement. Chief Bowers was a dedicated, 56 year active member at North Jacksonville Baptist Church serving as Deacon the majority of those years and Chairman of?Deacons numerous times. His first wife of 57 years, Betty Jean Bowers, preceded him in death on December 17, 2002, as did his brothers: Louis Bowers and William Bill Bowers. Surviving family include his wife, Nancy Bowers, 2 children: Retired JFRD Captain Richard W. Rick Bowers (Daneece) and April Bowers (Stan); 1 granddaughter: Ariana Davis and a host of friends. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at North Jacksonville Baptist Church, 8531 N. Main Street, with Dr. Herb Reavis, Jr., Rev. Chris A. Coram and Chief Keith Powers, officiating. Interment with Fire Department Honors will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. His family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 12, 2018 at North Jacksonville Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to NJBC Building Fund. Peeples Family Funeral Homes is serving the Bowers Family.