William R. "Bill" Humphries

July 9, 1931 - August 21, 2013

HUMPHRIES ,WILLIAM R. (BILL) Age 82. July 9, 1931 to August 21, 2013, of Wayne, MI. Predeceased by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Jo, and his father (Raymond), mother (Mary) and sister (Janet). He was a loving father to Jody, Tim (Karen) and Chipper, brother to his surviving sister Carol (Art) and grandfather to Joe (Tina), Tommy (Amber) and great grandfather to his favorite “little boy”, Cameron. He loved his family and his family adored and loved him dearly. Born in Ferndale, Michigan, Bill grew up in Birmingham where he met the love of his life, Jo Kramer. They were married in 1951, and spent the next 58 year building a life and family together. He served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955 and upon his return from the War; he attended Eastern Michigan University where he received his B.A. in Finance. After graduation, he began his career with General Motors where he remained until his retirement in 1986. Bill and Jo spent their retirement years “commuting” between Michigan and Florida. They had a wonderful group of friends and enjoyed 20+ years of sun and fun. He enjoyed Disneyworld as much as any kid, and was proud to be a Navy man. He was a great dad who spent time with his kids, be it working on cars with his son, playing catch with his daughter, helping with homework or just plain “bailing” us out, he was the best dad any kid could ever want. But above all else, his greatest love was his wife, Jo. They met when they were 14 and it was the beginning of a great love story. After her death in 2010, he continued to be a loving dad, but dementia began to rob him of his cherished memories. Both Bill and Jo provided care and compassion to many of their friends, and that care and compassion was returned by the caring staffs at Linden Square in Saline, Michigan and Arbor Hospice. We will miss him every day of our lives, but he is reunited with Jo, and we know that was a happy day. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, MI. Memorial Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.