REED CITY — William “Bill” Fulmerhouser, Jr., 83, passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Bill was born on January 16, 1932, in Reed City to William and Mabel (Chambers) Fulmerhouser, and attended Reed City schools, graduating from Reed City High School in 1949.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, landing in Korea six days after the war started, at the age of 17. He served as message center chief and was honorably dischargd with the rank of Corporal in 1952. He was a life member of Reed City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2964.
Bill married Ellie Smith in 1953. He was a loving husband and was her rock for 33 years while she struggled with MS, until her passing on October 23, 1987. Together they had two children, Jackie (Bill) Werner, and Andy. He enjoyed his grandson Randy Werner, and great granddaughter Genesis Werner.
Bill was a longtime resident. He knew everybody and always had a joke or story to tell. He was a cowboy at heart and loved riding his horses.
Bill was a well-respected businessman in Reed City for many years. He owned and operated the Gulf, Sinclair, and Texaco stations, and offered snowplowing services for many businesses. He later went to work for Cooper Industries until the company closed. He then worked for Ace Hardware until he retired.
Bill was blessed with another chance at love and happiness. In 1989, he married Donna Evans. They were truly happy together. He was by her side when she was diagnosed with cancer. Donna passed away on September 20, 1994.
He was a true angel to many family members and friends, always there when someone needed a shoulder to lean on during difficult times.
He had been in poor health the last few years and came to live with Jackie. She and her husband felt truly privileged to take care of and to be there for dad in his last years. It was his turn to be pampered.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Jackie (Bill) Werner; son, Andy; grandson, Randy; his special princess great-granddaughter, Genesis Werner; many nieces and nephews; and a loving family friend, Billie Brady; also Donna’s children, Gale (Danny) Brandonio, Zan (Barb) Kushmaul; son-in-law, John Kavanagh, and Kim Graboskey, and their children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by several brothers; sisters and in-laws.
Graveside services, with military honors by Reed City V.F.W Post No. 2964, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Wilson Cemetery (230th Ave. between 7 and 8 Mile Roads). A luncheon will follow at the Reed City V.F.W.
