William Anthony Fugate

William Anthony Fugate, Sr. 66, of Palestine, IL, died March 19, 2020, at his home in Palestine. He was born September 1, 1953, in Madisonville, KY, the son of William B. "Red" and Lois W. (Gamblin) Fugate, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Peggy Darlene Cooley on May 8, 1971, and she preceded him in death on July 19, 2005. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Abigail Miller and by his nephew, Marvin Clanton. He married Melodie Moisan on September 15, 2009, and she survives. He is also survived by his children, William A. (Katie) Fugate, Jr., Jason (Tina) Fugate, and Jennifer M. Fugate; by his step-children, Felicia (Billy) Caudill, Angela (Kevin) Rose, Johnathan (Rachel) Grimes, and Tara Grimes; by his grandchildren, Brandon, Erica, Melaina, Nicholas, Madison, Gabriel, Isabelle, and Noah; by 11 step-grandchildren; by 5 step-great-grandchildren; by his sister, Deborah S. Clanton; by three brothers; by several nieces and nephews; and by a special friend, Paul Grimes. Bill grew up in Michigan City and was a graduate of Elston High School. He would go on to proudly serve his country as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. It is difficult to imagine the generosity of spirit that it took to risk his life in this capacity, and we are thankful for his selfless devotion to the freedoms of his fellow man. Upon his honorable discharge, Bill found work with Davey Tree Service in La Porte, IN for a time before becoming a maintenance director with Fountainview Terrace LivingCenter in La Porte. In 2005, Bill started up his own business, Bill's Home Repair, and enjoyed lending a helping hand to his neighbors over the course of his four years in business. He and Melodie eventually moved to the Norfolk, VA area, where he again found work as a maintenance director, this time for Norfolk Healthcare, before retiring in 2014. Away from work, Bill could be found scouting out local yard sales, and this provided him with countless hours of enjoyment over the years, as did kicking back to watch old Western movies. He also found great joy in traveling and had a special place in his heart for the south, Gatlinburg and Nashville being some of his favorite vacation spots. More than anything, however, he simply loved being with his family. Few things brought more life to his living than spending time with his children and grandchildren, who will remember Bill's unique sense of humor and wit with great fondness. Men like Bill Fugate are once-in-a-lifetime, and his impact will long be felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. It was Bill's wish to be cremated, with a burial to take place in Union Mills Cemetery (Union Mills, IN) at a later date. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine is in charge of local arrangements.