Dr. W. LeRay Fowler, Pastor Emeritus West University Baptist Church, passed away June 14, 2016.  Born October 30, 1923 to Susie Lorena and Travis Fowler in Hill County, Texas, he attended the Mt Calm Public Schools.  He received his Bachelors and Master's Degrees from Baylor University and was a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

While at Baylor, he met his lifelong best friend and mate, Rosemary Turner.  They were married in First Baptist Church of Henderson on December 15, 1945.  Their happy, adventuresome marriage lasted for over 70 years.  To this union two sons were born, David Mark Fowler and Stephen Douglas Fowler.

LeRay pastored First Baptist Churches in Moody, Brady, Ballinger and Sweetwater before coming to Houston for his last twenty-three years as pastor of West University Baptist Church.  His tenure as pastor of West University Baptist Church was the longest of any pastor in the history of the church.  On his fifteenth anniversary as pastor of West University Baptist Church, the new chapel was named "Fowler Chapel."  He was named Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1985.

He was very active in denominational life serving on the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, and as a member of the Southern Baptist Annuity Board.  As a graduate student in Baylor, he was a member of the first Youth Revival team in 1945, a movement that would spread nationwide.

He also served in many positions for Texas Baptist including Trustee Houston Baptist University, Trustee Baptist Standard, Executive Board of Texas Baptist, Human Welfare Board, Baptist Memorials Board, and Christian Education Board.

He was the recipient of three Freedom Foundation awards for messages and television programming.  A sermon on the home was included in the book, "Outstanding Southern Baptist Sermons of 1980."

After retirement at age sixty-one, he found great satisfaction in serving as chairman of "Adopt an Annuitant," a committee which raised millions for Christian workers who had no retirement.  He was a great encourager of young people, helping them to realize their potential through education.  He and his wife were generous supporters of many Christian and educational causes.  They gave generously to Baylor University to establish The LeRay and Rosemary Fowler Scholarship for needy students.

His sons' dedication to their families, their service to their Church while succeeding as business men, was the pride and joy of his life.

He had an insatiable curiosity, which caused him to read several newspapers on the internet daily.    This curiosity led him to visit over ninety countries in the world and all seven continents.

He was a loving father and husband.  He enjoyed people and pastoring.  God's Church was a primary focus in his life.  He often said "I never want to do anything to hurt God's Church."

LeRay is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rosemary, son Mark and wife Brenda, son Steve and wife Kathy, granddaughters Mandi, Kelsey and husband Stephen, Kimber and husband Brian, Dawn and husband Ed; great grandchildren Hunter, Cameron, Malia, Branson, Bentley and Kaitlee.

Memorial services will be at West University Baptist Church at 2 pm on Friday, June 17, 2016.  A private burial will precede the service.  For those desiring to do so, memorials may be made to West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden, Houston, 77005 or the LeRay and Rosemary Fowler Scholarship, Truett Seminary, Baylor University, 1100 S 3rd St, Waco, Texas 76706