William H. (Bill) Eckels' Obituary
Big Rapids - William H. Eckels, age 86 of Colfax Township, died Sunday January 8, 2012. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1925 and had lived in the Big Rapids area since 1988 when he and his wife Mary moved here from the Kalamazoo area. He was an Aviation Radioman in the U.S. Navy Reserve during WWII, serving in the Pacific theater. William was a graduate of Western Michigan University, 1950 and worked for 34 years in the paper industry in the Kalamazoo area. He was a member of B.R.A.A.R.C. William was married in 1951 to the former Mary Fortin who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas (Wanda) and Peter, 3 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, 5 great grandsons, and one sister. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:00p.m. Thursday January 12, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 2p.m. until time of services. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MCMC Home Health Care, Mecosta County Commission on Aging or Hospice of Michigan.
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