‘Fiery’ Bill Fowler mourned by friends and colleagues at McMaster
Bill Fowler was inducted as a builder into the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993, and received honorary membership in the McMaster Alumni Association in 2002. He died peacefully in his sleep Aug. 30, 2015 at Wentworth Lodge in Dundas, Ontario.
William “Bill” Fowler, a beloved member of the McMaster athletics family, has died. He was 85.
For more than 25 years, Fowler played an integral role the University’s growth and success in sport — serving as both an accomplished and well-respected coach, and as a long-time volunteer on numerous committees.
“Bill was an important person to many of us while we were here as students, or working with him as a volunteer,” says Karen McQuigge, director of Alumni Advancement.
Known as a fiery competitor on and off the court, Fowler helmed the Marauder men’s basketball team for 16 years, highlighted by an Ontario Championship and National Final berth in 1970.
Following a long and successful run with the men’s team, he spent time on the Marauders football staff and also coached the women’s basketball team for five seasons.
He served as chair of Men’s Athletics from 1978-1981, and as director of the School of Physical Education and Athletics from 1987-1990.
“Bill was an important mentor to me during my early career, especially as an inspirational teacher,” says Philip White, professor, Department of Kinesiology.
“I never tire of telling people that his Play and Games course was the most popular course ever taught at Mac. Students, I recall, were required to wear a Hawaiian shirt. Every student was intensely physically active for an hour in Burridge Gymnasium while laughing hilariously, yelling and screaming, and having tons of fun.”
LISTEN on iTunes: Rudy Heinzl interviews Bill Fowler in 2002
His passion for McMaster was also demonstrated through his tireless volunteer work. Fowler was an active member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Promotions Committee, the Men’s Basketball Gala Dinner Committee, the McMaster Pro-Am Golf Challenge Committee and the Marauder Courtside Club.
He retired from the University in 1990.
Fowler was inducted as a builder into the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993, and received honorary membership in the McMaster Alumni Association in 2002.
Bette, his beloved wife of 57 years, his sister Betty (Klaus Bausch), his children Nancy (Mike Brown), Susan (Andy Macpherson), and Greg (Pamela Millar), his grand-children Michael, Justin (Nicole), Tyler (Ashley Brush), Andre, Emily (Bill Sutton), Jacob, Devlin, Quinn, Declan, and Henry, his great grand-children Posey, Benson and Ethan are deeply saddened.
They are also filled with peace that their inspiration has passed on to play a new game, joining his parents, his brother Jack and sister-in-law Reta.
A memorial service will be held in his beloved Burridge Gymnasium in McMaster’s Ivor Wynne Centre on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Visitation will take place from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life ceremony at 2 p.m.
