William "Bill" Clark Fuller

William Clark Fuller passed away June 2, 2022 in the home he shared with Marilyn Yon, his wife of 28 years. Bill moved to Tallahassee in 1980 with Carolyn Grace Miller Fuller - his first wife - and their two children. He quickly became a valued contributor to the community. As managing editor of the Tallahassee Democrat, he ensured, through hiring decisions and news focus, that the Democrat served all segments of the community. Especially important in a state capital newspaper, he strived to make news about the government’s workings accessible to all local residents. Bill was a member of Tallahassee’s nascent soccer community, joining the local over-30 league of the Tallahassee Soccer Association and helping to develop the Meadows Soccer Complex. He played a crucial role in bringing soccer for boys and for girls to local public high schools. He was an active player until his mid-50s and an enthusiastic supporter of the soccer lives of his children and grandchildren. After Carolyn passed away in 1984, Bill threw himself into music. “Music saved my life,” he said in describing those difficult times. He was a constant presence at local music venues, forming long-lasting friendships with many of the performers. His appreciation for their art was matched only by his appreciation for them as people. When both of his children left the nest for college, he met Marilyn. Their love spawned a new family and a new business/passion. They married in 1994, each of them bringing two children along for the ride. At the same time, they started the business that would provide immense joy for the rest of his life. Bill was a grassroots co-founder, wearing many hats in the day-to-day management of Pyramid, Inc., an arts-focused day training program for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. As head of HR, he was a champion for all those who worked for Pyramid. Pyramid is now known around the state of Florida and beyond for its professional visual and performing arts opportunities. He was also instrumental in shaping Pyramid’s arts program. In his role as the Arts Director, he believed that all people deserved an opportunity to experience and participate in visual and performing arts. Bill was always in awe of the talents and abilities of Pyramid’s students. However, it was Bill’s interactions with them on a personal level, as the people they are, that was the true indicator of how big his heart really was. Bill and Marilyn built a marriage around working hard and playing hard. They spent a lot of their off-time visiting their kids – and later grandkids – in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Europe. Travel had been a part of Bill’s life since childhood, encouraged by his grandmother Bessie Clark to actually visit Orlando instead of just asking questions about it. Particularly over the last 30 years, he visited about 20 countries ranging from Australia to Finland to Rwanda to Costa Rica to Bosnia-Herzegovina. His focus in travel was never about collecting museums and monuments; it was about experiencing the food, the music and, most especially, the people he met. Before moving to Tallahassee, he had already built a full life, both professionally and personally. He was born in Tampa, Florida, on January 29, 1941, to Norbert and Myrtle Fuller. He was a star piano student throughout school. He graduated from Plant High School in 1958. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in political science in 1964. While at the University of Florida, he got his start in journalism, working as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune and as an editor for the Florida Alligator. He was also in the US Marine Corps from 1958, leaving the reserves in 1964. He met Carolyn Grace Miller at Tampa’s Palmaceia Baptist Church and they married in 1964. They soon moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Carolyn continued her teaching career and Bill worked for the Charlotte Observer. Both of them became sailboat racing enthusiasts at the Lake Norman Yacht Club, taking part in regattas on a regular basis. They also developed a passion for hockey, University of North Carolina basketball and bluegrass music. Their son Deron was born in 1968 and daughter Amy in 1971. Bill worked at the Observer through 1978. After a year in Hickory, NC, the family returned to the Tampa area, where he was the graphics editor for the Tampa Tribune. After 3 years in Tampa, where the family fell in love with the game of soccer, they were once again on the move to the place – Tallahassee – Bill would call home until his death. He will be remembered with special tenderness by his wife Marilyn Yon and their children Deron Fuller, Amy Fuller Descovich, Ken Yon and Kimberly Yon; by their grandchildren Olivia Descovich, Ella Descovich, Viveca Fuller, Philipp Fuller and Luke Colin Yon Arnold; by his brothers John Fuller, Donald Fuller and Jim Fuller and his sister Nancy Walker; and by his in-laws Vanessa Fuller, Steve Descovich, Jamie Arnold and JoeAnn Hansford. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, July 30 at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette Street in Tallahassee. The celebration will be held at 3pm EDT and will include a memorial service, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that donations be made to Pyramid, Inc., 311 N. Spring Street, Pensacola, FL 32501. You can also visit the website at www.pyramidinc.org. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements. Bill has meant a great deal to many people over the years. And many people have meant a great deal to him. Perhaps his greatest legacy has been in the dignified way that he has faced both success and adversity. He repeated many a time over the last year of his battle with cancer, “I’m livin’ the life!” This is no doubt still true even in death, as he not only touched people but he empowered people. ________________________________________

Tributes

William "Bill" Clark Fuller

January 29, 1941 - June 2, 2022