William Lancelot Bowles Jr.: The Dentist Behind Phylicia Rashad’s First Marriage

William Lancelot Bowles Jr. remains a figure of quiet distinction—known primarily as the first husband of actress Phylicia Rashad and father to their son, William Lancelot Bowles III. While his three-year marriage to the future Cosby Show star brought him into public awareness, Bowles built a respected career in dentistry and maintained a private life that stands in sharp contrast to the entertainment world he briefly touched.

Who Was William Lancelot Bowles Jr.?

William Lancelot Bowles Jr. was born on September 30, 1939, at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, William Lancelot Bowles Sr. and Eileen Beatrice Wilson, brought Irish and English heritage, respectively, to their household in mid-20th century Brooklyn. Growing up in this diverse borough during the post-World War II era, Bowles experienced the cultural richness that defined Brooklyn in the 1940s and 1950s.

Following his father’s professional path, Bowles pursued dentistry. His educational journey culminated in a career in dental practice, requiring extensive training in dental school and establishing the foundation for his professional identity. The field demanded precision, patience, and genuine commitment to patient care—qualities that defined his working life.

What Makes William Lancelot Bowles Jr. Special?

So, what sets William Lancelot Bowles Jr. apart? Well, it’s not just his connection to fame. Here are some things that make him unique:

1. Cultural Blend: With his English nationality and Irish heritage, Bowles brings a rich cultural background to his life and work.
2. Professional Success: As a dentist, he’s built a career outside the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
3. Parenting in the Spotlight: Raising a child with a famous ex-partner comes with its own set of challenges, which Bowles has navigated.
4. Maintaining Privacy: Despite his brush with celebrity culture, Bowles has managed to keep much of his personal life private.
5. Resilience: Going through a public divorce and continuing with his life and career shows his strength of character.

Marriage to Phylicia Rashad

Bowles married Phylicia Ayers-Allen on May 13, 1972, in Harris County, Texas. At the time, Rashad was beginning her theatrical career, having made her Broadway debut that same year with the Negro Ensemble Company. Their union represented a meeting between two professional worlds—healthcare and performing arts.

The couple welcomed their only child together, William Lancelot Bowles III, in 1973. Known affectionately as Billy, their son became the lasting connection between Bowles and the Rashad family.

The marriage lasted three years, ending in divorce in 1975. The separation occurred years before Rashad achieved household fame as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984-1992). Despite the dissolution of their marriage, both parents remained committed to raising their son. Reports indicate that Billy initially lived with his mother but moved to live with his father at age sixteen.

Phylicia Rashad’s Path After Their Marriage

After divorcing Bowles, Phylicia Rashad went on to marry twice more. Her second marriage was to Victor Willis, the original lead singer of the Village People, in 1978. They divorced in 1982 after meeting during the run of The Wiz on Broadway.

Her third marriage was to Ahmad Rashad, a former NFL wide receiver turned sportscaster, on December 14, 1985. Ahmad proposed during a nationally televised pregame show on NBC’s Thanksgiving Day broadcast between the New York Jets and Detroit Lions on November 28, 1985. Bill Cosby walked Phylicia down the aisle at their wedding. Together, they had a daughter, Condola Phylea Rashad, born December 11, 1986, in New York. This marriage ended in early 2001, though Phylicia retained the surname Rashad professionally.

Professional Life as a Dentist

Throughout his marriage and beyond, Bowles maintained his dental practice. The profession provided financial stability and allowed him to build a respected reputation in his community. Dentistry requires both technical skill and interpersonal abilities—treating patients, diagnosing oral health conditions, and performing procedures that improve quality of life.

Unlike his ex-wife’s trajectory into entertainment stardom, Bowles chose a traditional career in healthcare. His work remained separate from the spotlight that increasingly surrounded Rashad’s growing fame throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

William Lancelot Bowles III: Their Son

Billy, as he’s known, grew up between two distinct worlds. His mother became one of television’s most recognized faces through The Cosby Show, while his father maintained a private dental practice. Phylicia has shared that Billy would accompany her to theater rehearsals as a child, offering his own critiques even at a young age.

As an adult, Billy pursued a career in computer graphics and works on the West Coast. He has chosen to maintain privacy, following his father’s example rather than seeking public attention. This decision reflects the values both parents instilled—focusing on personal achievement over recognition.

Connection to the Rashad-Allen Family

Through his marriage to Phylicia, Bowles became indirectly connected to one of entertainment’s most accomplished families. Phylicia’s sister, Debbie Allen (born January 16, 1950), gained fame as a dancer, choreographer, and director, particularly for her work on Fame and as producer-director of A Different World.

The Allen sisters came from an accomplished family themselves. Their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, was a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, artist, playwright, and cultural activist. Their father, Andrew Arthur Allen, was an orthodontist who passed away in 1984. The family also includes brothers Tex Allen (Andrew Arthur Allen Jr., born 1945), a jazz musician, and Hugh Allen, a real estate banker in North Carolina.

Phylicia graduated magna cum laude from Howard University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She made history as the first Black actress to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her 2004 performance in A Raisin in the Sun.

Life After Divorce and Later Years

Following his divorce from Rashad, Bowles returned to a quiet, private existence. He continued his dental career away from media attention, focusing on his practice and personal life. His commitment to privacy remained consistent throughout his life—even as his ex-wife’s fame grew exponentially.

Information about Bowles’s later years remains limited, reflecting his successful efforts to maintain boundaries between his personal life and public curiosity. He passed away on February 25, 2006, in Atlantic, New Jersey, at the age of 66.

Conclusion

William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s story represents something often overlooked in celebrity culture—the lives of those who briefly intersect with fame but choose different paths. His dedication to his profession, his role as a father, and his commitment to privacy demonstrate values that prioritize personal fulfillment over public recognition.

As Phylicia Rashad’s first husband, Bowles played an important role in her early life story. Their son Billy represents the lasting connection between them—a young man who absorbed influences from both the healthcare and entertainment worlds but ultimately chose his own direction.

Bowles’ life illustrates that proximity to celebrity doesn’t require participation in it. His career as a dentist, his three-year marriage, and his relationship with his son form a narrative of quiet dedication. While he never sought the spotlight that came with his connection to the Rashad family, his story remains an integral part of their history.

The balance he maintained—building a professional career while navigating personal relationships tied to Hollywood—reflects character and intentionality. His passing in 2006 marked the end of a life lived largely outside public view, despite the fame that surrounded some of those closest to him.