William Lancelot Bowles Jr.: The Quiet Dentist Who Married Phylicia Rashad First
William Lancelot Bowles, Jr., did not chase lights or cameras. He fixed teeth. He loved his family. He wed the star we know as Clair Huxtable.
That star is Phylicia Rashad. Their time together was short. But it gave us William Lancelot Bowles III.
People still hunt for Phylicia Rashad William Lancelot Bowles, Jr1. to learn the start of her story. Here is the real tale. Plain. True. Easy to read.
Who Was William Lancelot Bowles Jr.?
William Lancelot Bowles, Jr. came into the world on a fall day. The date? September 30, 1939. The place? Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His dad shared the same name. His mom was Eileen Beatrice Wilson. She brought Irish and English blood to the home.
Brooklyn buzzed back then. Kids played on the streets. Families ate dinner together. Bowles Jr. 2grew up kind and steady.
Quick Facts on His Start
- Born: September 30, 1939
- City: Brooklyn, New York
- Mom: Eileen Beatrice Wilson
- Dad: William Lancelot Bowles
School and Job as a Dentist
Bowles Jr. picked teeth for work. His dad did the same. He went to dental school. He learned to clean, fill, and pull teeth. Soon, he had his own office in New York.
People liked him. He spoke softly. He made the pain go away. No fame. Just smiles.
Why He Loved Dentistry
- Dad showed the way.
- Good pay. No drama.
- Help folks feel better.
William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s occupation = dentist. Simple as that.
How He Met Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad acted on Broadway. William Lancelot Bowles Jr. fixed teeth. They met in New York in 1968. Love grew fast.
They tied the knot on May 13, 1972. A small wedding. Just family and close friends.
Their Short Love Story
- Met: 1968
- Wed: May 13, 1972
- Baby: 1973
- Split: 1975
Phylicia Rashad’s marriage history begins right here.
Baby Boy: William Lancelot Bowles III
A son arrived in 1973. Full name: William Lancelot Bowles III. Nickname: Billy.
Phylicia took Billy to play practice. He sat quietly. At age 7, he said, “Mom, more pep here!” She laughed. He was right.
William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s children = one son. Billy.
Billy Facts
- Name: William Lancelot Bowles III
- Nick: Billy
- Year: 1973
Billy now works with computers. He lives on the West Coast. He stays out of the news.
Split in 1975
The marriage ended after three years. No big fight in papers. They just parted.
Bowles Jr. kept his dental chair warm. Phylicia kept acting. She later wed Ahmad Rashad in 1985. They had Condola in 1986.
What happened to William Lancelot Bowles Jr after divorcing Phylicia Rashad? He drilled teeth. He raised his boy. He stayed calm.
Day-to-Day as a Dentist
William Lancelot Bowles Jr. ran a busy office. Mornings: check-ups. Afternoons: fillings. Evenings: home.
New tools came in the 1970s. He learned them fast. Patients came back happy.
His Work Wins
- Spot: New York
- Kind: Everyday dental care
- Way: Kind and careful
No William Lancelot Bowles Jr. net worth in headlines. But a dentist earns well. He lived fine.
Links to the Rashad-Allen Family
William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s family touches stars. Ex-wife: Phylicia Rashad. Sister-in-law: Debbie Allen.
Phylicia’s mom wrote poems. Her dad fixed teeth, too. The family left the South to dodge hate. They spent time in Mexico.
Rashad-Allen Tree
- Phylicia Rashad – TV mom, two kids
- Debbie Allen – Dancer, director
- Condola Rashad – Broadway star
- William Lancelot Bowles III – Tech guy
This mix puts William Lancelot Bowles Jr. and Phylicia Rashad in African American entertainment history.
Phylicia on Being a Mom
Phylicia said, “My kids are just kids. Not Black kids. Kids.”
She let them pick their roads. Billy picked tech. Condola picked the stage. Both won her heart.
Where Is He Today?
Where is William Lancelot Bowles Jr today? Out of sight. No new photos. No talks.
He is 86 in 2025. Maybe retired. Maybe still smiling at old patients.
Why Folks Google Him
People love hidden celebrity stories3. Phylicia Rashad’s husband clicks bring them here.
Lesser-known celebrity partners spark wonder. Bowles Jr. shows the calm side.
Top Questions
- Did Phylicia Rashad have a son with William Lancelot Bowles Jr.? Yes – Billy.
- What is William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s profession? Dentist.
- How did Phylicia Rashad meet William Lancelot Bowles Jr? New York, 1968.
1970s Star Spouses Side by Side
Many wed stars in the 1970s. Some grabbed the spotlight. Bowles Jr. did not.
| Name | Star | Job | Fame? |
| William Lancelot Bowles Jr. | Phylicia Rashad | Dentist | No |
| Other | Actor | Shop owner | Yes |
He picked peace.
Phylicia After the Split
Phylicia hit big with The Cosby Show. Fans called her the mom of Black TV. Awards came.
She wed Ahmad. Blended families. Condola shines now.
Phylicia said, “No calls for Condola. She earns it.”
Fun Bits You May Miss
- Irish-English roots.
- Three-year marriage.
- Zero online posts.
- Son swapped stage for screens.
- Dad and granddad are both dentists.
Facts you didn’t know about William Lancelot Bowles Jr.
Life Away from Flash
Life after fame: William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s story = work, dad, rest.
No mess. No fuss.
His Age and Path
William Lancelot Bowles, Jr., age = 86.
Fast Path
- 1939 Born
- 1968 Meet Phylicia
- 1972 Wed
- 1973 Billy
- 1975 Split
- Years Dentist
- Now Quiet
Loud Life vs Quiet Life
Public vs private celebrity lives clash. Phylicia on TV. Bowles Jr. is in the chair.
Fans of The Cosby Show actress’s personal life eat this up.
Famous Ex-Husbands
Notable ex-husbands of celebrities – some chase buzz. He did not.
Respect.
Phylicia’s Young Days with Him
The early life of Phylicia Rashad holds Bowles Jr.’s New York home. Her lines. His drills.
Son ties them still.
Her Loves List
Phylicia Rashad’s relationships:
- William Lancelot Bowles Jr. 1972–1975
- Short one
- Ahmad Rashad 1985–2001
He starts it.
Black Star Families
African American celebrity families glow. Bowles Jr. adds a calm note.
The dentist is linked to her dad.
Who Is He Really?
Who is William Lancelot Bowles Jr, Phylicia Rashad’s first husband? Dentist. Dad. Private.
He backed her dreams.
Full Scoop on Her First Man
All about Phylicia Rashad’s first husband, William Lancelot Bowles Jr – birth, job, wed, kid, split, quiet.
Real life.
Dentist Days and School
William Lancelot Bowles Jr, dentist career and education:
- Dental school
- New York office
- Happy patients
Strong work.
Secret Tale of the Two
The untold story of William Lancelot Bowles Jr and Phylicia Rashad – love, baby, goodbye.
No splash.
His Bio Start to End
William Lancelot Bowles Jr biography and early life details – Brooklyn boy, mixed roots, tooth path.
Solid base.
Wed Timeline
William Lancelot Bowles Jr and Phylicia Rashad’s marriage timeline:
- 1968 Meet
- 1972 Yes
- 1973 Joy
- 1975 End
Short. Sweet.
Family, Kid, Self
William Lancelot Bowles Jr, family, son, and personal life – Billy center. Rest private.
Dad first.
FAQs
Who is William Lancelot Bowles Jr?
He is Phylicia Rashad’s first husband. A dentist from New York.
When did William Lancelot Bowles Jr marry Phylicia Rashad?
May 13, 1972.
Do they have kids?
Yes. One son – William Lancelot Bowles III, born 1973.
What does William Lancelot Bowles Jr do?
He was a dentist.
Are they still married?
No. They split in 1975.
Where is William Lancelot Bowles Jr now?
Private life. No public news.
How old is William Lancelot Bowles Jr?
86 in 2025.
Did he remarry?
No public info.
What is his son doing?
William Lancelot Bowles III works in computer graphics on the West Coast.
Why is he famous?
The only link is Phylicia Rashad.
Conclusion
William Lancelot Bowles, Jr. kept life simple. Born 1939. Dentist. Wed Phylicia 1972. Son Billy 1973. Split 1975. Kept fixing teeth. Stayed hidden. His mark? Phylicia Rashad’s first husband. Shows quite wins too.
Do you like stars who stay out of the news? Tell me!
Read more about the star kids in Bradley Christopher Gumbel’s life background.
References
- People.com – Phylicia Rashad’s Kids – Son and mom facts. ↩︎
- ChristianCelebrities.net – Bowles Jr. – Early years, family tree. ↩︎
- CelebrityMagazine.co.uk – Bowles Jr. – Birth, job, wedding dates. ↩︎
