Dr. William E. Fulmer, PhD, 85, of Clarion, PA, passed away at home on August 19, 2026.

He was born on February 3, 1941 in Franklin, PA to Wendell D. Fulmer and Lois Borland Fulmer. He lived a charmed childhood in the Third Ward and later on Elk St. where he made many lifelong friendships.

He graduated from Franklin High School in 1959 where he played football and basketball. During high school and college he taught swimming and life saving techniques at the Franklin Pool and YMCA to dozens of young people. Even in later life he would encounter now senior citizens who would exclaim, "You're Bill Fulmer! You taught me to swim!" and then introduce their always impressed grandchildren.

In 1961 when he was a lifeguard at the Franklin Pool he started dating Elisabeth Sibley, a graduate of Rocky Grove High School and a carhop at Schenck's Restauant in Reno. They were married on December 21, 1963.

After graduating from Westminster in 1964 he taught math at Neshannock High School. Next he worked in Production Management at Talon Zippers in Meadville and South Carolina and for French's mustard in California.

He returned to Western Pennsylvania in 1976 with his family, which now included daughter Jennifer and son Edward, and attended Clarion State College for his MBA. That led to his long teaching career at Clarion and the completion of his PhD in Public Policy at the University of Pittsburgh.

As a young professor at Clarion, he became very active in the union for the State System faculty. Bill volunteered for the union negotiating team that worked to achieve collective bargaining agreements with the state, work that he valued as preserving the quality of education in Pennsylvania. He later went on to spend six years in Harrisburg as the President of APSCUF, building on his passion for affordable education for working class Pennsylvania families.

During his tenure as professor at Clarion State College and Clarion University, he had an integral role in the development of new programs for the school, including: International Business Seminars (IBS), Labor Relations, Collective Bargaining, Ethics in business. He also published "Production Management: The Adventure," a textbook used in the management programs and remembered fondly by his students as "that peanut butter book." His former students also credit his active advisement with expanding their horizons and opportunities. He was presented with the Distinguished Faculty Award by the Clarion University Alumni Association in 2022, an honor which touched him deeply. His focus as a professor was always on the students and their accomplishments. He felt immense pride in them and relished their return to Clarion to tell him about their achievements.

Following his retirement, he and his wife Elisabeth and daughter Jennifer Fulmer Vinson opened Fulmer House Books and Collectibles. In doing so, the couple were able to save and restore a historic property in Clarion and turn it into a business that thrives and has become a destination for visitors and returning students to the community. After more than 20 years in business, Bill and Elisabeth's daughter now continues to run the business and still supports the community today. While Bill was less involved with the daily operation of Fulmer House in recent years, he continued to work there part time up until his passing.

In his later years, Bill suffered from multiple ailments. But his good humor, strength, courage and depth of character enabled him to continue to enjoy life, friends and family. Somehow, even when he was deaf and mostly blind, and could no longer play golf, he continued to win at poker.

Preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Jerry Fulmer, Bill is survived by his loving family, including his wife Elisabeth, daughter Jennifer Fulmer Vinson and husband Eric, and son Edward and wife Nancy, and four grandchildren: Kiera and Sabrina Vinson, and Skylar and Eva Fulmer.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a future date. The family suggests that memorials be made to local (to the donor) organizations that do good things for their communities.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Dr. William Fulmer on September 27th, 2026 from 2:00-6:00 PM at Mechanistic Brewing at 538 Liberty St., Clarion, PA. We hope to see friends and family while we share stories and memories of Bill.

If any former co-workers, students, and friends are unable to attend that day, you are invited to visit us at the Fulmer House during the Autumn Leaf Festival (October 3-11). The shop is located at 703 Wood Street in Clarion.

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please email Jennifer at jenful29@gmail.com.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St, Clarion.

Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.