William J. "Bill" Fillwock, son of William Carl (1896-1975) and Inez Maude (Jansen) (1899-1984) Fillwock, was born 9 April 1926 Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He graduated in 1943 from Okemos High School. On 17 February 1948 in Okemos, Ingham County, Michigan, Bill married Frances Patricia Lockwood and together they raised 4 children. Bill died, age 90, 3 July 2016. He was interred East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 6 July 2016
William J. "Bill" Fillwock
Lansing
William J. "Bill" Fillwock passed away peacefully at home on July 3, 2016 surrounded by his wife and children. He was 90 years old.
Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances Patricia (Pat) Lockwood Fillwock, who said he was her one true love and best friend. Dad loved us and we always knew it. He would tell you he wasn't a perfect man, but to us he was. He adored our mom and together they set an example of love and commitment to family that we hope we have passed on to our children.
By example, he and mom taught us the value of hard work, thriftiness, self-sufficiency and always being there for family.
Dad was a dairy farmer by trade, a car fixer by necessity, a card player by choice, a hardcore bargain hunting garage sale lover and a real talker. He was passionate about many things and was not shy about sharing his opinions. Dad loved NASCAR racing, or as he used to tell us, "the one true sport".
He loved to dance to big band music and we loved watching our parents glide across the dance floor. He loved family camping and fishing trips with life-long friends, Vernon (deceased) and Gretchen Schlosser. The "Camp Dysentery" sign always hung proudly over our campsites. He was the original recycler, believing that everything had more than one use. We loved that when he reluctantly had to take something to the dump, he always left it in a place he would remember, just in case he ever needed it again.
He had a booming voice, a smile that lit up a room, and he loved to laugh. He was always there for us, whenever we needed him, whatever the time or day. We will miss you every day Dad, but we know that our brother, Jim, and a host of other family and friends are enjoying a very special reunion with you.
In addition to his wife, Pat, Bill is survived by daughter, Judy (Maurice) Mead of Mason; son, Dennis (Linda) Fillwock of Albuquerque, NM; son, Jerry (Nancy) Fillwock of St. Johns; daughter-in-law, JoAnne Fillwock of Denver, CO; brothers, Duane and Lewis Fillwock and sister, Betty Lockwood; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son, James F. Fillwock; his parents, Inez and William Carl; and one brother, Frederick Fillwock.
A Funeral service was held on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. Interment followed at East Lawn Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sparrow Hospice, the American Cancer Society or Gunnisonville United Methodist Church.
The family is being served by Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel.