"Linda...so sorry to hear of Bill's passing...we'll miss his smiling face at Chanticleer, but will expect to see yours when you feel up to it. You are in our prayers."
In loving memory of
William C. Fowles
June 17, 1952 - November 6, 2011
William "Bill" Fowles, 59, Green Bay, went to be with the Lord Sunday, November 6, 2011. He was born June 17, 1952 to Edward and Audrey (Russell) Fowles in Green Bay. On April 5, 1975, he married Linda Novak at Bethel Lutheran Church in Green Bay.
Bill graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1970. After a short stint at college, he returned home and then took an extended trip out west in the Rockies, camping and fishing with his friend, Steve DuChateau. After returning from this trip, he worked at Gardner Denver for one year before returning to the family business, Machine Service, Inc., which his father Edward (Ted) Fowles and mother, Audrey Fowles founded in 1948. It was truly a family business. He was very proud to be able to work side by side each day with his brother, Ed, brother-in-law, Mike Anderson, his sister, Jayne Anderson, his nephew, Mike Anderson Jr., his wife, Linda and his two sons, Chris and David. He was so very proud of his two sons. He was just thrilled when they joined the business and he was working with them hand in hand each day. Bill was a hard worker and role model and was devoted to the business. He enjoyed traveling, taking trips to the Pacific Coast, Jamaica, Hawaii, St. Lucia, Mexico and many trips to San Diego visiting his aunt and uncle and cousins. His most memorable trip was to Europe with friends, Barb and John Mc Gown. He really loved going to his cottage in Three Lakes almost every weekend of the year, fishing, taking boat rides on the Three Lakes Chain of Lakes, snowmobiling and just relaxing. He had a love of music, especially the Beatles. Bill played in a band in his early days and continued playing the guitar his whole life. He even tried the ukulele. He enjoyed watching old Packer games, hockey and get-togethers with his friends known as the "party bunch". Being a machinist all of his life, he loved to fix things and took great satisfaction when he could figure out ways to solve a problem. He could fix anything. He enjoyed being with his friends playing cards (Sheepshead) at the lunch table at work each day. A special joy came into his life in January, 2011, as his first grandchild, Lilly Mae was born. He loved seeing her big smile and how much she had grown each time he saw her. Bill was a kindhearted, generous and fun loving man. He was a wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He had many, many people he called his friend and will be missed tremendously. Even though his life ended way too soon, he will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, best friend and as he called her "his girlfriend", Linda; sons and spouses, Christopher and Katie Fowles and David and Ali Fowles; a granddaughter, Lilly Mae Fowles; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Jacalyn Fowles; sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Michael Anderson, Sr.; sister-in-law and partner, Gail Thomas and John Baker; nieces and nephews, Sandy Fowles, Michelle (Felipe) Ceva, Sam Fowles, Mike Anderson Jr., and Aaron Anderson; cousins, Ginny and Dean McGill and Kelly and Brian, San Diego, CA; Karen and Terry Rarick, Chula Vista, CA; Wayne and Julie Lacina, Bonita, CA; Jim and Terry Zeutzius, Grants Pass, OR; and Jerry and Vicky Piron, Green Bay.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Beverly and George Novak, special aunt and uncle, Romaine and Earl Zeutzius, and his faithful companion, Buddy.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday, November 9, at Lyndahl Funeral Home. Visitation will continue after 10 am Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1350 Bond Street, where the funeral service will take place at 11 am with the Revs. Barb Girod and Amy Engebose officiating. Entombment will be at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.
Thank you to Dr. Patrick Mansky, Pattie Marquardt, APNP, the entire Bellin Cancer Team physicians and staff and Unity Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Also we would like to thank Pastor Barb Girod and all our friends at Faith Lutheran Church in Three Lakes for their prayers, cards, gifts and well wishes and all of our friends and neighbors that have stood by us for the last year.
"There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing.
No, I never heard them at all,
Till there was you"
Together Always
Love, "Your Girlfriend"
Tributes
"Dear Linda, Jerry and I were very surprised and sorry to read of Bill's death. You have our sincere sympathy and our prayers are with you and your family. We wanted to join you but we live in Kewaunee County now and the weather was not good for us to travel. We did miss you and Bill at Bethel but we always thought you were probably at the later service. Linda, your Mother was such a good roommate to my sister at the Manor. I always appreciated that. Your Bethel friends, Jerry and Nancy Boettcher "
"LINDA, I ONLY JUST HEARD OF BILLS PASSING...I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS...MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY....JESUS WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF HIM FOR YOU I PROMISE!"
"To Chris: It is with a heavy heart I am writing this after learning of Bills passing.I was reminded of your fathers grace and eloquence by our recent meeting. After a span of 27 years he remembered me and made me feel as welcome as if I saw him daily. I also remembered our first meeting in fall of 1983 when he interviewed and eventually hired me. Imagine my relief and gratitude after being unemployed for 9months. He displayed that same grace and eloquence when told him I made the difficult decision to return to PCMC.I developed an entirely new respect for him, seeing how he was willing to respect my decision. I know the world is a better place for Bill having been here with us. I also know I am a better person for having known a man of his caliber. He will remain an inspiration and a fond memory always. Sincerely yours: Keith. "
"Linda, I was just reading the paper last night very late and saw the obituary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Sorry we could not attend the services. We are thinking of you."
"Linda and family: My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time, as they have been since I first heard of Bill's illness. My Dad was "Billy's" godfather and I remember Bill coming to our house with a box of cigars for Dad's birthday and at Christmas. I also remember visiting the Fowles siblings on McDonald Street when Billy was just a little tyke. Took pictures of him by the Christmas tree, and when he was standing in a cardboard box at a Russell family reunion near Bay Beach many years ago. "
"I am sorry to hear about Bill. I grew-up in his neighborhood and considered him a good friend. We had a lot of good times as kids. It sounds like he had a great family and will be missed. Again, my condolences to Linda, Ed, and Jane. sincerely, Dan Kamps"
"God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be. So He wrapped his arms around you and whispered "Come with Me"-unknown"
"I'm so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He used to golf with us on Thursday afternoons at Twin Oaks and Royal Scot. He was a fun guy to be around and was always smiling. I wish he could've played a lot longer."
"Bill was such a nice, humble, and really friendly gentleman. I have known Bill and the family for many years, but I worked directly with Ed and Mike. Though I did not see Bill as much, Ed kept me up to date on Bill, and I know how much Bill is loved and cherished by Ed, and the Fowles family. I will miss his kindness towards me, and I know how much he will be missed by his family and friends. God Bless Bill and the entire family."
"We are so sorry for your loss. you are in our thoughts. Nancy and Roger Schneider"