UPDATE: 5:45 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3, 2007.

Shelby County remembered former Probate Judge Conrad “Bulley” Fowler on Wednesday as a kind leader, decorated war veteran and diehard University of Alabama fan.

Judge Fowler died last Monday at the age of 88, almost two decades after leaving Shelby County politics.

Despite his nickname, eulogizers said Fowler was very much a servant of the people. “He was not a ‘bully.’ He was far from it,” said Rev. Don Wright, pastor of Columbiana United Methodist Church. “He was a giver almost to a fault. He lived a life of service and was an ambassador of peace and goodness.”

Fowler served as probate judge and county commission chairman from 1959 to 1977. Under his leadership, Shelby County became the first county in Alabama to start planning and zoning in unincorporated areas. He also worked to shut down the county’s illegal gambling houses.

During his twenty years in politics, Fowler was a member and officer in several civic organizations. He is past president of many groups, including the Alabama Association of Probate Judges and the Alabama Association of County Commissioners.

He was appointed by Presidents Johnson and Nixon to serve on two presidential commissions. He also volunteered extensively with the American Lung Association.

“He had a way of seizing things that were good for all citizens, and he used them and practiced them,” said Rev. Burl Oliver, a family friend. “Vast hosts of people have profited from his multi-faceted career.”

Oliver further praised Fowler for his military service. As a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Fowler earned a Purple Heart after being injured at Iwo Jima. He later retired from the Marine Reserve as a colonel.

“The judge distinguished himself in everything he did throughout his life,” said Oliver.

Fowler was buried Wednesday afternoon in Columbiana Cemetery. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jenny Mott Fowler. The couple had been living at LaRocca Nursing Home in Tuscaloosa.

They have two sons, Conrad Fowler, Jr. of Columbiana and Randy Mott Fowler of Tuscaloosa.

ORIGINAL STORY: 12:01 A.M., WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3, 2007.

Judge Conrad “Bully” Fowler, a longtime Shelby County probate judge and county commission chairman, died Monday in Tuscaloosa. He was 88.

A decorated World War II veteran, Fowler served as probate judge and commission chairman from 1959-1977. Under his leadership, Shelby County became the first county is Alabama to start county-wide planning for private and governmental development.

Born in Montevallo, he graduated from the University of Alabama in 1941. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Crimson White staff and Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society.

Immediately after college, Fowler entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He fought at Guadalcanal and Guam before being injured at Iwo Jima. For his heroics, Fowler earned the Purple Heart and gold and silver stars. He was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946 as a major, but would stay with the Marine Reserve, eventually becoming a colonel.

After the war, Fowler returned to the University of Alabama Law School, where he earned his bachelor of laws degree. He would then come home to Columbiana and practice law with Handy Eliis from 1948 to 1953.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Virginia Mott Fowler. They have two sons, Conrad Fowler, Jr. of Columbiana and Randy Mott Fowler of Tuscaloosa.

The funeral service for Judge Fowler will be at Columbiana United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 11:00 am.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am.