Bill Ellis Fowler

Bill Ellis Fowler was born on June 9, 1939 to Ellis and Vivian Fowler. Bill was raised on a small farm just ½ mile down Monroe Ave. from where his dad was raised on their small farm. Bill attended Roosevelt Grammar School and Central High School, the same as his dad and mom. He graduated in 1957. His parents farmed and had a trucking business. Bill and his brother Eddie followed along and at one time they farmed about 1,000 acres of grapes and ran several trucks.

In 1974 Bill had the chance to drive truck in Alaska building the Alaska oil pipeline and he jumped at the chance. He always said what an experience it was. One of his favorite stories was after unloading at the far North end of the pipeline, he went into the nearby camp to eat. After walking (running) to get inside there was a big sign that said the official temperature with the wind chill was 96 degrees below zero. Now for a Fresno boy that was cold.

Bill is survived by his sons Richard who turned 1 year old in Alaska and Kirk who followed. In 1981 Bill married the love of his life Gaylene. It has been a great life as we have been to every continent except Africa and we plan on finishing that. Bill is also survived by his stepson Kari Ley and his wife Kathy, and his two grandsons Ryan and Aaron Ley and their children.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Washington Colony Cemetery, 7318 S. Elm Ave., Fresno, CA.