• Email a friend
• Create a page like this
• Click here to bookmark this page

Proud Family Man and proud Veteran!

Billy was battling through Alzheimer's for the last 8-10 years of his life. While it didn't necessarily "take him down" the disease certainly made life difficult. Thankfully he could communicate through the end, but we 'lost him' a while ago. It was sad to see the progression over time, especially knowing that there was no cure in sight.

Any/all help to fight this debilitating disease will help. Please consider a tribute in his memory to help in this battle.

(A SIDE NOTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH ALZHEIMER'S: we looked into donating Dad's brain for research, but learned that much preparation was needed BEFORE he passed; including, that you have only a 24-hour window to get the brain to the research facility)

Billy passed away on August 1 at the age of 93. Billy is survived by his wife of 68 years Jean Ann (Lorenz), and his five children: Linda/Tom (Clark), Karen/George (Bertodatto), Bill/Sally, Bob/Kris, and Lori/Robyn (D'Reaux-Rodgers). He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Billy graduated from South Eastern High School in Detroit, MI in 1950 and then proudly served in 7th Division, 32nd Regiment/Company D of the Army as a machine gunner in the Korean War. He was combat wounded on 10/16/52 on the 38th Parallel, in a conflict on Triangle Hill, where Billy earned the Bronze Star (w/Valor), and the Purple Heart.
Upon his return, Billy completed some course work at Western Michigan University and Wayne State University.
Billy was an active personality in the Detroit sports scene, having spent time working at the Detroit News, being a member of the Press Club, working for the Pistons from '65-'72, and then for the Stroh Brewery from '72-'86. Billy finished out his career working for a beer distributor in the western suburbs. Billy owned the University of Detroit hot spot, "The Golden Twenties" where he hung with the likes of Dave DeBusschere and Tom "The Bomb" Tracy. Billy was an avid baseball fan, having multiple letters of his published in Baseball Digest.
Billy and Jean spent their retirement years in FL and SC, followed by the last 8 years in MN.
A funeral mass will take place to celebrate Billy's life at Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit on 8/31/23 at 10am. Mass will be followed by a military burial service at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Southfield at noon.