William Fowler

William Glen Fowler, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan, longtime companion, friend to many, and fellow runner died peacefully at 11:15 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness, and grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of West Woods and Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on August 24, 1931 in Arkansas, began school in Arkansas and Mississippi, but began working very young after the untimely death of his father.  He came to southwest Michigan as a young man and became a skilled plumber.  He owned and operated his plumbing service in Saint Joseph, Michigan, helping homeowners with repairs and replacements, and helped with the new plumbing installations of several real estate developments.  He and his wife lived in Benton Harbor, Michigan until her death, and he has lived in Niles for thirty years.

Bill was a member of the Monday Night Running Club, and like most members, was faithful to its namesake schedule.  On the other days, he enjoyed daily walks in his neighborhood and the river path in Niles.  He completed a marathon in Hawaii, and has completed both the hiking descent into the Grand Canyon, and the ascension up and out of the canyon.

At home, Bill enjoyed maintaining a vegetable garden, reading Westerns and watching Westerns on the television.  In the winter, he completed many jigsaw puzzles.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Arlene May Daily on May 28, 1992; and by two sisters.

He is survived by his companion of thirty years, Barbara Burton – a fellow runner, and by Arlene’s daughter, Peggy Griffiths; and by a wonderful circle of running partners

Committal of cremated remains will be private, at a later date, at Riverview Cemetery in Saint Joseph.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Bill spent his working life in the challenging trade of plumbing, and spent his leisure time in the challenging pursuit of running; the plumbing done to help others, and the running best done with others, and always with Barb.