H.R. No. 416
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of Billy Ray Fowler of Throckmorton on
February 16, 2025, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, The son of Leslie and Sarah Fowler, Billy Ray Fowler
was born in Goldthwaite on August 18, 1935, and he grew up with the
companionship of three siblings, Sarah, Sue, and Paul; he graduated
in 1953 from Throckmorton High School, and he went on to serve in
the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic and as a member of
the 82nd Airborne Division from 1957 to 1959; and
WHEREAS, On January 15, 1958, Mr. Fowler married Patsy
Yarbrough, and the couple shared in a fulfilling union that spanned
67 years; he took great pride in his two sons, Ray and Gary, and over
the years, his family grew to include six grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fowler owned and operated a Conoco service
station with his wife for more than three decades; deeply committed
to his community, he enjoyed a 37-year tenure as the Throckmorton
justice of the peace, and he was a member of the city council; he
further gave of his time and talents to the volunteer fire
department from 1969 to 2000, and he coached several Little League
teams; a man of strong faith, he was an active member of the First
Baptist Church of Throckmorton, where he taught Sunday School
classes, and he also served on the board of the Throckmorton
Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his community,
Billy Ray Fowler made a meaningful difference in the lives of his
loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and he will long be remembered
with deep affection by all who knew him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billy Ray Fowler and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Patsy Fowler; to his sons, Ray Fowler and his wife, Gayle, and
Gary Fowler and his wife, Kathy; to his grandchildren, Maryann
Jernigan and her husband, Larry, Jay Fowler and his wife, Ashley,
Amy Schroeder, Will Fowler and his wife, Melissa, David Fowler, and
John Fowler and his wife, Shawnee; to his sisters, Sarah Morris and
Sue Thurman; to his great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives
and many friends, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Billy Ray
Fowler.
Spiller
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 416 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 13, 2025.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House