Chaplain/Colonel Fulton was my mentor after becoming a Christian at Hill AFB, Utah, in 1972.  He was a fun, loving, caring, and passionate man focused on Jesus Christ.  I have thought of him often over the intervening 50 years since I last saw him.  I am saddened to learn of his death, but encouraged that his legacy lives on.

  My mother and I met Bill while living in the same apartment complex as him many years ago. He was a bright and pure light in our lives. We are grateful to of had his friendship and God-given wisdom.
  "Mr. Bill" met with my husband and I privately in his apartment and discussed our relationship and upcoming wedding. Soon after he performed our wedding ceremony in our home. He did this as a gift to us and it was one of our life's greatest blessings. 


Bill was an answer to prayer when he arrived at Dreux Air force Base in or around 1965. The "answer" was, to be certain, an eye opener. In his quiet manner, he guided us into the Scriptures and to greater heights in our relationships with God. There was never great eloquence, but a beautiful depth.
Thank you, Bill, for the privilege of knowing you, being mentored and discipled by you. Thank you for your supportive participation in my own ministry later on.
Until we meet and share again,
Andy

Whenever we would see each other, I'd say "William F. Fulton", to which he'd reply with a great smile and some wit, "That's my name!" 

Bill was tremendously smart. His library of books and sermons offered a small reflection of this. We would ask him about history just to hear him tell the stories. When I was in seminary he was my go to resource. Just don't get him talking about the rapture :) He loved the Scottish preachers.

Bill loved classical music, some niceties in life and had tremendous wit. I'll never forget walking into his humble apartment and then seeing a nice stereo player and some good chocolate (over 70% of course, as he'd say). I asked him about it and he offered a witty response like always. I'll miss that.

Bill loved God. He reached out to the young and old to tell them of Christ. He had his prayer list and was ever so diligent about it: the blessings we reaped. He supported his cherished ministries and missionaries. He studied the Bible like the best of them. Through it all, he remained humble. 

We would often talk about heaven, and Bill was patiently waiting for his turn. He is now in heaven, walking without issues, hearing the perfect music of the angels, and seeing the face of the love of his life. Thank you God for sharing Bill with us!

Btw, there's a memorial service scheduled:
https://rezaustin.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/473287

BILL LIVED ACROSS THE HALL FROM ME AT OUR RETIREMENT HOME AND BECAME CLOSE FRIENDS WITH MY WIFE AND I.  WE CHERISH OUR MEMORIES.  I WAS ALSO A MILITARY CHAPLAIN.  WE NEVER SERVED TOGETHER SINCE HE WAS AIR FORCE AND I WAS ARMY, BUT WE SHARED COMMON MEMORIES .  
     GOODBYE BILL - WE CHERISH OUR MEMORIES.  

Bill made such an impact on those around him. His strong faith, intellectual curiosity, listening ear, and genuine hospitality drew so many to him. His love of the Psalms proved contagious to our Konoinia class. Such a teacher and mentor!

Bill Fulton was a high intellectual seated on an imposing seat of Southern courtesy and true humility.  He did not know or else took no notice of the scope of his knowledge, biblical and/or secular.  He was as comfortable talking about Sohzhenitsyn or Pelikan or Augustine or Bach as St. Paul or St. John.

Bill Fulton loved Jesus with an intense, ever-growing love.  He loved the Father whom Jesus revealed and lived in the immediacy of the Spirit whom he understood to be the Gift which empowered his life and ministry.

For many of us, there was never before and will never again be another Bill Fulton to mentor, encourage us and to model for us how to live out the gospel.  One person said of Bill, "If St. Paul were reincarnated, he would come back as Bill Fulton."  Just so.

I recall the Friday evening in May, 1964, when I met "Chaplain Bill" at an Air Force chapel function.  After the meeting, he gave me a ride in his trusty VW to Ft. Walton Beach where I was to spend a weekend with some friends.  That thirty minute ride changed my life for it connected me to a guiding light as I contemplated ministry.

 Bill visited us many times over the years in Florida and in retirement visited us in North Carolina.  Our children came to know and love him as "Uncle Bill."  We also visited him in Galveston, Thorndale and Austin, Texas and always felt, to use the words of William Still, that we were "loathe to let him go."

Bill paid my travel to Scotland in the spring of 1973, a journey that was to be life changing for me.  That trip not only opened my eyes to the power of dedicated men in the Scottish Church, but it also revealed the love and deep respect those men had for "Padre Fulton."  Using his name was like an "open sesame!"

I spoke last to Bill on his birthday and then again after receiving one of his short missals in mid June.  I have played several times his phone answering message:  Bill Fulton....leave a message after the beep."  Message:  "Servant of God, well done!"


Dear Family and Friends,
     Bill spoke often and lovingly about his family.  Family is as family does and it was the same for Bill as for all of us; family is wonderful and family is a treasure and family is complicated.  Knowing him for nearly 50 years proved to me he treasured his family and knew they were wonderful and special.  He told me so.  He loved you.
     Same thing for friends.  He lead many to the Truth and advised them with the Truth.  He had all the crises we all have in maintaining friendships.  He was a "Prince of a Man" and one among a thousand.  He loved so many friends.
     My Sympathies,
     Randy Headley, Columbia, SC

Dear Friends and Family,
Bill was the reason for my ministry. A true Man of God and the one who took me under his wing and helped me along my life's path. 
He will now get to know who wrote the book of Hebrews.
See you some day, Bill.
Your Brother In Christ,
Jeff

OBITUARY

William Farrell Fulton, Jr.

May 15, 1929 – July 7, 2020

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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