William Barnes "Will" Fowler

January 29, 1927 - May 20, 2008
William "Will" Barnes Fowler, 81, of 711 Hwy 24, died peacefully at his home Tuesday morning. He was born in Johnston County, son of the late William Lee Fowler and Ruby Barnes Fowler and was preceded in death by a sister, Annie Mae Fowler Horton.
Mr. Fowler was a graduate of Corinth Holder School, attended Wake Forest University and was a Danforth Scholar. He served in the United States Navy and was a World War II veteran. He had a lifelong commitment to his community and state through his involvement in numerous service organizations. He was a past president of the Lions Club in Warren County and was a member of the Archer Lodge Masonic Lodge as a lifetime member. One of his great loves was serving his state through his lifelong membership in the North Carolina Democratic Party. He proudly served three terms on the North Carolina State Environmental Commission as a appointee of Governor Jim Hunt. Mr. Fowler took immense pleasure in his involvement in state politics and was often referred to as a yellow dog Democrat.
Mr. Fowler was a man whose profession is most aptly described as a entrepreneur. He began early in life working on the family farm and selling cars. He spent many years working in the tobacco market. He owned two Ford dealerships: Fowler Ford in Clayton and Fowler Barham Ford in Warrenton. Upon moving to Emerald Isle, NC, he started Coast Realty and Construction. He was actively involved in the local real estate and construction industry for many years before his retirement.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22nd at All Saints Anglican Church in Newport, NC. The family will receive friends from 10:15 to 10:45 at the church prior to the service. All are invited to the family home following the service. Entombment services will be held the following week in Wendell, NC.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Fowler's honor to the Fowler- Lynch Scholarship Fund at Carteret Community College.
Mr. Fowler is survived by his wife, Diane Lynch Fowler; children, Marlene F. Bozeman and husband Rob of CO, Betsy F. Costner and husband Gary and their daughter Hannah of Apex, William Fowler and his sons Joseph and John of Emerald Isle, Tracy F. Overton and husband Joseph and their daughters Kenan and Victoria of Raleigh, Seth Fowler and fiance Hope Jones and daughter Kailey of Swansboro, Mary Hilliard F. Moran and husband Peter of Swansboro, Lee Barnes Fowler of Morehead City. Also survived by his first wife, Dorothy O'Berry Fowler of Warrenton; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Doug and Susan Gray for the years of service to Mr. Fowler and for the immense comfort and care they have provided him.
Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home, Wendell, NC