William Clifford Fowler

Bill leaves behind immeasurable wealth in the form of a treasured family and long list of true friends who absolutely adored him. His family was too important to Bill to put them at the back end of his obituary. They always came first in life and that is not going to change now. Bill leaves behind two beautiful daughters, Mallory Leigh Fowler of Brentwood, California and Julia Fowler Rackley of Atlanta, Georgia and her husband, Gene Rackley, and three grandchildren, Wylie, Sam and Sylvia Heiner. Bill also leaves his brother, Dr. David Fowler and his wife, Heather. He was preceded in death by his sister, Susan Fowler Carter. Last, but never least, Bill must finally part with Cindy, his wife, lover, friend, companion, fellow adventurer . . . his everything since he was 15 years old.

As for his friends, they were of tremendous importance to Bill, and he was blessed with many of them. They are all listed, not on this page, but in his heart.

William Clifford Fowler’s good life began in Evansville, Indiana on April 23, 1944. The son of William Franklin Fowler and Betty Carnes Fowler, Bill went on to graduate from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1962, received his BS degree from Indiana University in 1966 and an MBA from Georgia State University in 1973.

Bill was driven by a desire for excellence in everything he did. And he did quite a lot. He graduated in the top 1% of his college class, graduated first in his class at the Navy Supply Corps School and earned the highest score on the CPA exam in the state of Georgia.

He was a leader in his personal civic life as well. Bill was an Eagle Scout. He was elected President of his college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, became the Data Processing Officer of the USS Canopus in Rota, Spain, was named head of the Tax Division of Arthur Andersen in Atlanta, Georgia, and Chairman of the Board of the PATH Foundation where he served for more than 25 years. Bill’s most important civic passion was The Sheperd Center where he served on the Board of Directors from 1993 to present day.

Bill was a proud member of the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church where he attended for many years. He was also a member of The Piedmont Driving Club, The Capital City Club, The Chattooga Club, The Sea Island Club and Ocean Forest Golf Club.

This was a man who lived his life with quiet courage. Although he was afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis at age 43, Bill never used it as an excuse and refused to let it overwhelm him. His attitude and spirit were those of a man with the world on a string. When friends would ask how he was doing, his standard answer was, “Never better!” if you had the privilege to know Bill Fowler and were asked what kind of person he was, your answer would be a similar one – “Never a better man.” In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution to the Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 or at www.shepherd.org.

A service in honor of Bill’s life will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 2:00 pm at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road, NE, and reception to follow at The Piedmont Driving Club, 1215 Piedmont Road, NE.