William "Bill" Louis Fulkerson

William “Bill” Louis Fulkerson, 75, of Evansville, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016, at his home. He was born July 16, 1940, in Owensboro, KY to the late William Henry and Golda Ray (Frakes) Fulkerson.

After graduation from Owensboro Catholic High School, he served in the US Army Reserves for six years and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was in retail management for 14 years and was very successful. He began with the Kroger Company in Owensboro and was transferred to Lexington in 1967 to open a new store. A few years later he opened a new retail store in Lexington for Consolidated Sales out of Louisville. In 1979, Lexington approved Sunday retail sales. Bill was a Kentucky boy who believed Sunday was for family, so he decided to leave retail management and purchased his own dry cleaning business in Owensboro called Vogue Cleaners. He and his wife operated the store and when they sold it in 1986 he had added four additional locations. In 1987, he came to work for James Clayton with Clayton’s Dry Cleaning as plant manager. He continued this position through Don’s Cleaners acquisition of Clayton’s by Steve Schmitt until his retirement in 2005. Bill loved to travel and looked forward each year to planning vacations and all family holidays; his first love was always his family. His children always knew he stood beside them. Sunday night suppers for the family were an every Sunday night event and will continue after Bill’s passing.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry Fulkerson in 1957 and Golda Ray (Frakes) Fulkerson in 1980; and brother-in-law, Silas Burns, in 1999.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella Ann Fulkerson; son, William Louis (Alecia) Fulkerson, Jr.; daughter, Sandra D. Collins; grandson, Michael (Chelsea) Funk; granddaughters, Samantha (Damian) Gourley, Aley and Lilly Fulkerson; great-granddaughter, Makayla Gourley; great-grandson, Chase Funk; sisters, Mary Agnes Fulkerson and Marlene Ann Burns; nieces, Karen (Vance) McRoy and Darlene (Jeff) Miller; great-nieces, Kendall Miller and Ashley Roberts; great-nephew, Cody Miller; and great-great-nephews, Aaron Rayl and Eli Roberts.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Fr. Bernie Etienne, with burial in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit Thursday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.