Bill B Fulbright

Bill B. Fulbright, son of the late Clyde and Lonnie (Bryan) Fulbright, was born February 28, 1924 in Lebanon (Laclede County), Missouri. Bill grew up seven miles east of Lebanon and graduated from Stoutland High School in 1943. While a student at Stoutland, Bill became friends with Lorene Barcroft and they soon became sweethearts. Bill was united in marriage with the love of his life on September 4, 1943 and spent the next 42 years together before she preceded him in death in 1985. The same year as his marriage, Bill entered the United States Navy and served his country faithfully until his discharge in 1946. During his time in the Navy, he went to Farragut, Idaho for basic training and then was stationed in San Diego for a time. He was transferred to Bethesda, Maryland where he was trained to be an X-ray technician and was sent to Wake Island after the Marines had already secured it from the Japanese. After being discharged from the Navy, Bill began working on Fort Leonard Wood and then started attending Missouri State for two years and continued his education at Missouri University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Bill moved to Poplar Bluff and began teaching on the Veterans program for a time before moving to Richland where he taught Vo-Ag for 17 years. Waynesville R-VI School District hired him as a counselor for a short time and then he became the first director of what is now known as the Waynesville Career Center. He served as the director for 24 years and retired in 1995. Bill enjoyed being outdoors. He was known for his garden and all the produce that he loved to share with his friends and neighbors. He was a coin collector and also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was known to play a few rounds of golf. No one enjoyed watching sports as much as Bill, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. At an early age, Bill made an important decision in his life and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was an avid student of the Bible and enjoyed teaching Sunday School to 7th graders at First Baptist Church of Richland where he was a longtime faithful member. He was also a member of the Scholarship Committee at the church and loved to help young people further their education. Bill served in the community with several different organizations and was on the Pulaski County Board for the Handicap. Bill went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in the Lake Regional Medical Center of Osage Beach, Missouri having attained the age of 89 years. Bill will be sadly missed by all those that knew and loved him; especially his loving church family and a host of friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by an infant child; one brother: Dean Fulbright; two sisters: Lois Croft and Frieda Lillard; and one nephew: Jim Croft.

Bill B Fulbright

February 28, 1924 - June 18, 2013