Obituary: William Vernon Fulkrod

William Vernon Fulkrod, or Bill, was born on January 26, 1957, at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, Texas, and passed away on September 16, 2023, at his home in Melrose, New Mexico.

Bill received his high school diploma in 1975 from Melrose High School. Bill played football, basketball and ran track for the Buffalos both in junior high and in high school and was a regular honor roll student. Bill appreciated and cared for a lot of people- his friends and his family.

Bill went on to study in college at the University of New Mexico and at Eastern new Mexico University, where he graduated Magna cum Laude in 1997.

Bill served in the U. S. Air Force as a weather observer, serving in Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arizona, Alaska, and North Dakota before retiring in 1991.

Bill worked for many years for the New Mexico State Department of Transportation as a highway construction inspector before retiring for health reasons in 2019.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Victor N. Fulkrod; his mother, Mary F. Espland; and brother, Michael.

Bill is survived by his brothers, Steve (wife Margaret) of Fruitland, Maryland, and Brian of Melrose; his sisters, Jennifer (husband Harley) Swopes of Melrose, Christy Melek of Amarillo; and his aunt, Bea Hoover, of Paradise, Texas. He leaves two nephews: William Francisco of Coati, CA and Tristan Swopes of Melrose; as well as 3 nieces: Lisa (husband Nelson) Chicas of Abingdon, MD; and Caylee Melek and Jayme Melek of Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bill's memory to: Victor N. Fulkrod Memorial Scholarship Fund, Eastern New Mexico University Station 8, 1500 S. Ave. K., Portales, NM 88130. Or go online at https://enmu-foundation.snwbll.com/online-giving and place “Victor N. Fulkrod Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the comments section.