The Otago Daily Times understands Mr Cowie (73) may have been dead for up to a week before being found by a neighbour. Police declined to release his name yesterday, saying next of kin had not been notified, but district residents confirmed it was Mr Cowie.
Central Otago sub-area police supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said police were investigating the death "but I'd emphasise there's nothing suspicious about it - it was more a medical event".
Mr Cowie spent his whole life in the Ardgour Valley, working as a farmer, deer hunter, fencer and shearer, gaining material for a host of entertaining yarns along the way.
He was dubbed Willie Wong after appearing as a Chinaman in a school concert. Later he was also described as the "Lindis magpie" because of his habit of collecting "treasures" - often farm machinery bought at clearing sales.
Community leaders paid tribute to him yesterday, all describing him as a legend.
Peter Jolly, of Tarras, knew Mr Cowie all his life and said he was " a good bugger" who would be sadly missed.
"Nobody would have a bad word to say about him. He always had that cheeky grin on his face and something to say, usually with a fair bit of humour in it."
Bendigo Station owner John Perriam said he would be missed.
Two episodes of Country Calendar were devoted to his exploits. The first screened in 1991 and the second in 2003, combining historic footage with scenes filmed during his clearing sale in 2002. His most recent television appearance was in August, on chef Simon Gault's show Chef on a Mission.
