COLUMBIA Mr. Wilton Baylis Fowler, Jr, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the age of 88. Born June 5, 1929, in Spartanburg, S.C., he was the son of Wilton B. Fowler and Maude A. Pearson. The family moved to Bennettsville during his senior year of high school. Wilton attended Furman University, earning a degree in voice. He loved his years at Furman, making many life-long friends and developing a life-long love of music.
His love of singing began with a decision his mother required of him as a young boy. She had him choose between piano lessons or voice lessons. Neither excited him, but he chose singing. Of the many things he enjoyed in life ¬¬– tennis, bridge, Scrabble – singing was always on top. Wilton also got much joy out of singing with the Palmetto Mastersingers for many years.
He joined the U.S. Navy after graduation from Furman, serving aboard the USS Bairoko and the USS Rendova. He mustered out in Long Beach, CA where he met Carol Jean Medvec while singing in the church choir. After Wilton got a job with the USO in Boston, they married. Later they moved to New York and then back to Spartanburg, S.C. Wilton and Carol had three children. Carol died of a brain aneurysm in 1965.
After her death, Wilton moved to Columbia and earned a Masters in Counseling at the University of South Carolina. He then went to work at the South Carolina Employment Security Commission as head employment counselor. Wilton met and married Barbara Groom in 1968. They had one child.
Wilton is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; brother, William P. Fowler; children Michael Fowler, Karen Shevenell (Joe), and Julie Webster (Larry); grandchildren Michael (January) and Max Fowler, Alex, Spencer, and Nic Webster, and Isaac and Miriam Shevenell; great-granddaughter, Juniper Grace Fowler; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Carol Medvec and his son, Steven Andrew Fowler.
Memorials can be made to Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, 530 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or the Presbyterian Community of South Carolina 2817 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 22, 2018 at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, with burial in First Presbyterian churchyard. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork.
January 24, 2018
Tonya Coble
Mike,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. Just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope your beautiful memories give you peace and comfort in the days to come.
Tonya Huggins Coble
January 22, 2018
Betty Doggett
So sorry to hear of Wilton's passing. I will be unable to attend service due to Ron Billington's family being here today and tomorrow, but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. With sincere sympathy,
January 21, 2018
Tom and Daisy Eden
Much love to your family at this time of mourning. May your faith and your memories sustain you.
January 20, 2018
Juli Hancock
Prayers for your family.
January 19, 2018
Fletcher Spigner III
The Spigner Family expresses its sincere condolences. We are very sorry. What a great man.
January 19, 2018
Brent Garvin
Dawn and I were saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that we will keep you and the family in our prayers. Baylis, huh, never knew what the B. stood for. The secret is out!
January 19, 2018
Susan Powell
Barbara and family,
Our prayers are with you.
Susan Powell
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more