William "Bill" Edson Fowler
March 3, 1965 ~ January 7, 2022
William Edson Fowler, “Bill”, 56, of Hollywood, MD, formerly of Brewster, NY, passed away on January 7, 2022 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on March 3, 1965, he was the son of Margaret Fowler and the late Charles Fowler. William was the loving boyfriend and partner of Karen Stauffer. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Fowler.
Bill attended Brewster High School and graduated in 1983. Bill served in the United States Navy for six years, from July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1989. He received a Good Conduct Award- .38 cal. Pistol (Marksman) Battle “E” and a Meritorious Unit Commendation Award- M-16 Rifle (Marksman). Bill worked as an Engineering Technician for Northrup Grumman for 27 years, retiring on January 5, 2017. He was a life member of the Patuxent Moose Lodge 2393, Hollywood, MD.
Bill came to St. Mary’s County in 1986, stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He was an AT2 patrolling and protecting the skip in their C130. In 1989, Bill received his honorable discharge. Bill started work at PRB- Northrup Grumman immediately as an Engineering Technician. His proudest moment was developing and installing the ground controls for the MQ 4C Triton Drones. He got to witness its maiden flight arrival from San Diego, CA to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. That was a very proud day. Serving Northrup Grumman for 27 years, Bill retired in January of 2017, leaving him to enjoy the free time he needed. Bill always said “with the many projects at home, he didn’t know when he ever had time to go to work.”
With his girlfriend and partner, Karen, there were fishing trips, crabbing, and leisurely boat rides. Always together, they enjoyed 22 years of happiness.
Bill was an avid NASCAR fan, with Bristol Motor Speedway as his No. 1 track. He went to every spring and fall race, maintaining the same seats for 25 years. Jeff Gordon was his No. 1 driver. When Jeff Gordon retired, it was Chase Elliott.
Bill enjoyed working on his ’49 Chevy truck, DJing for several years, and playing his guitar. AC/DC was his favorite band and “Back in Black” his favorite song. Bill loved working on electronics; the more challenging the project the better. He would always find the solution.
Bill is a beautiful and exceptional person. Intelligent in all facets of life. Willing to give help to anyone who needed it. He leaves behind a legacy of knowledge and love.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM with Pastor Matthew Tate officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Eric Zimmerman, Tommy Bentley, Matt Griffith, Ed Ruskowsky, Charles Martin, and David Readmond.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A, Leonardtown, MD.
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My sympathy to Bill’s family. I worked with Bill for years before he retired. What a nice person. He will be missed.
My prayers and condolences go out to Bill’s family and other friends. Bill was one of the first people I worked with when I started at PRB back in the late 80s. He had a quirky sense of humor that smoothed over many difficulties with our project, but also did great work. He will be missed.
Prayers to Karen and the family, My heart skipped a beat when I heard that he had passed. When I first came to work for PRB in 1990 he came up to me and said welcome aboard and said I know your brother Tommy, Me and Bill became good friends and I finally had the chance to work with him when I moved over from the IT dept. to the Triton program. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of the hardware side of triton. I will miss him as another brother and a great friend.
I only had the honor to work with Bill for a few years in the Northrop Grumman Hollywood office before he retired. He was an amazing person and he will be missed. When I think of Bill, in my minds eye I see him walking down the hall with a Coke in his hand and a posture that said “I’m on a mission”. To Bill’s family and friends, try to find some comfort in knowing that Bill was an amazing person to work with. He was well respected for his skills and was such a good person to be around.
Karen and Family My prayers are with you all
Bill was a wonderful guy. Catching crabs on his boat, boiling them and enjoying them in the garage are some terrific memories I will cherish. He and Karen knew the best spots in Hollywood’s Cuckold Creek. His Thanksgiving dinners were formal with the white table cloth and silver laid perfectly and the turkey was cooked just right. We did a lot of laughing over Coors Banquet and he loved fixing up his historic car. He will be missed in this community!
Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss my heart breaks for you and Bill’s family. I still cannot grasp that his is gone. He always took the time out to say hi to anyone he knew and always gave them amazing massages when I seen him. I am so sorry I could not be there for you but have been under the weather but know that if you need anything please call me.
So sorry for your loss. Bill was always pleasant. Will miss seeing him at the Moose lodge. Hugs to Karen, family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your son Bill. How clearly, I remember, many years ago, standing in the Methodist Church kitchen while you read a beautiful poem you had written for your other son. Life is so hard at times.
Once again, I ask the Lord to comfort you and give you strength to get through this.
Peace and love to you, Barbara Jewell.