Dr. William Mathews Fulgham, 81, died peacefully at his home in Suffolk on April 10, 2014. Dr. Fulgham was born in Windsor on July 17, 1932, the son of the late John Rawls Fulgham and Gypsie Louise Mathews Fulgham.

Dr. Fulgham graduated from Windsor High School in 1950 and from the Virginia Military Institute, class of 1954. He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1959, and practiced dentistry in Heidelberg, Germany from 1959 to 1962, as a captain in the United States Army Dental Corps. He then practiced dentistry in Norfolk and Suffolk for many years.

VMI held a special place in his heart. He loved VMI and Lexington and had a unique and lasting bond with his “Brother Rats” and other alumni. His license plate told the story: “VMI 54.” He was a past president of the Keydet Club and active in other alumni affairs.

Dr. Fulgham also loved Cape Hatteras, where he spent many happy days with family and friends deep sea fishing on his boat, the “Keydet.” He was a past commodore of the Hatteras Marlin Club and was often referred to as Captain Billy.

He is survived by his lovely and extraordinary wife of 59 years, Nancy Ann Newman Fulgham. She was the love of his life. He is also survived by a daughter, Katherine Fulgham Bryant and her husband, Lawrence H. Bryant, of Norfolk; a daughter, Julie Fulgham Galleher and her husband, M. Huntley Galleher, of Saluda; and three grandchildren: Nancy Bryant Pappas and her husband, Alex Pappas, of Washington, D.C., Charlotte Mathews Bryant, of New York, N.Y., and William Huntley Galleher, of Elon, N.C. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Tilson Wilroy, of Ahoskie, N.C. He was predeceased by two brothers, John Rawles Fulgham Jr. and Eldon Charles Fulgham, formerly of Dallas, Texas.

A graveside service will be held at Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2014, conducted by the Rev. Michael D. Halley of Suffolk Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VMI Foundation. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.