William ‘Bill’ Horton Fowler

William “Bill” Horton Fowler, 104, died Feb. 17, 2012. He was born on Feb. 13, 1908, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, and was the only son of William and Dora Fowler.

His father was in the abstract, title and insurance business, and homesteaded a cattle ranch on the side.

He graduated in 1926 from Tombstone Union High School while his father was president of the School Board. His childhood memories include riding the range on horseback with his dad, repairing fences cut by neighbors trying to discourage the homesteaders, driving an “overland” car around the ranch when he was only 10 and frequently repairing its tires.

In 1932, he earned a degree from the University of Arizona, Tucson, in mining and metallurgical engineering. Jobs were scarce so he did a variety of things until he was able to work in his chosen field. In 1937, he took a job in metallurgy and manufacturing, first in the Philippines and later Hong Kong. But in 1940, he returned to the states, since the Japanese occupation of China ruled out living near the Chinese border.

He found work as an inspector with a shipbuilder in Los Angeles Harbor; his training in metallurgy and engineering was critical to the war effort. While still in Los Angeles, he married Avice Cunningham in October 1942.

They both worked seven days a week. She was at an aircraft factory and he was at the shipyard.

Two years later he became a civilian employee of the Army Air Corps, working as a metallurgy inspector of aircraft parts and associated manufacturing processes. His work took him to Wichita, Kan., where the couple lived until the end of the war.

During this time they were blessed with their firstborn, William James Fowler.

In 1945 the family moved to Wichita Falls. He joined Shell Oil Co. and began his career in petroleum engineering. This is also where their second son — John Douglas — was born.

The family then moved to Midland in 1950 and stayed until his retirement in 1970.

They then decided to move to Highland Haven because they loved the area and friends had relocated there. He personally built the family home in there 42 years ago and he lived there with his son John and his grandson Will. His wife died in 1993.

The couple were known as accomplished dancers.  For many years, they were active in area square dance clubs. After his wife died, he continued to enjoy ballroom dancing with friends as well as his son Jim and daughter-in-law Stephenie in Kingsland and elsewhere.

He is a model for performing community service. In 1979-1980, he was president of the Highland Haven Property Owners Association when a serious attempt was made to incorporate the community into a limited municipality to be called “Highland Haven Village.” It was voted down 2-to-1 in a very contentious election.

He also served as chairman of the building committee that planned, raised money and built much of the original phase of the Highland Haven Community Center.

He served on the LBJ Municipal Utility District No. 2 board for six years and for 18 years he was known as the voice of Highland Haven because he wrote the community’s weekly column in an area newspaper.

His engineering skills were again useful as he was involved in the design and construction of the Kingsland Community Church and Fellowship Hall.

Survivors include sons William James “Jim” and wife Stephenie, and John Douglas and wife Linda; and grandchildren William Charles and Elizabeth Elaine.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.

A funeral service is 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, Park Road 4 with the Rev. Tommie Beck officiating.

Lunch is served at noon Feb. 21 in  the Highland Haven Community Center.

Pallbearers include Pat Wade, Mark Wade, Fred Bearden, Charles Langham, John Aulick and Arthur Browne.

Honorary pallbearers are Dale Cook, Buddy Dobrowolski, Donald Cooper, Charlie Webb, Milton Nevill and Giles Summerlin.

In lieu of flowers, donate to a favorite charity. Condolences can be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.