Newsoms – William Julian "Monk" Fowler, Sr., 82, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, left his earthly home to join his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 16, 2007. A lifelong resident of Newsoms, he was the son of the late James Henry and Lucille Story Fowler. Monk was an Army veteran of the WWII Pacific theater, a retired farmer, and a member and former president of the Newsoms Ruritan Club. Monk was a member of the Mount Horeb Methodist Church from his birth until the church closed in October, 1999. At Mt. Horeb, he served in many positions, church superintendent, Stewart, and choir member. Monk was also a former member of the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department and was currently serving on Newsoms Town Council. He was a member and deacon of Newsoms Baptist Church and had a perfect attendance until his hospitalization. After retiring, he became an avid picture puzzle solver.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 64 years, Julia Vann Fowler; one daughter, Joyce F. Hutchinson and husband, James, of Murfreesboro, NC; two sons, William J. (Bill) Fowler, Jr. and wife, Patsy, and Larry M. Fowler and wife, Tammy, all of Newsoms; one sister, Agnes McMillan of Suffolk; six grandchildren, Joe White, Travis White and wife, Stacy, Amy Vick and husband, Joe, Tara Fowler, Pete Fowler and fiancée, Christy Fekete, and Cherie Fowler; and one great-granddaughter, Kayla White. "Pop", as he was called by his grandkids, was predeceased by a grandson, Kenneth Wade White. He was also predeceased by a sister, Clyde F. Askew; and two brothers, Henry E. Fowler and Raymond P. Fowler.
A funeral will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday at Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Rodney Morrison officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Monday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggest memorials be made to Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 209, Newsoms, Va. 23874. www.wrightfuneralhome.org