William James Vandewarker, age 61, of Jeddo passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007.
He was born in Sandusky on July 2, 1945, to James A. and Eleanor M. (Marsden) Vancewarker, the youngest of their three children.
Bill was president of the 1963 class of Peck Community Schools. He enlisted in the United States Navy shortly after graduation and served his country as a hydraulics man with the Airborne Early Warning Squadron VW-One “Typhoon Trackers” of the Pacific, providing weather reconnaissance, early warning, and search and rescue operations during the early part of the Vietnam conflict.
With his tour of duty completed, Bill returned home and found employment as a hardware salesman at Sears, Roebuck & Company in Port Huron. There he met his future wife, Judy Meyers, who worked in personnel and accepted his employment application. Bill retired from Sears after 34 years of service on July 4, 2000, as Store Manager of the Auto Service Center. After retirement he worked part time as an armed courier for Dyke Security.
Bill and Judy’s 40 year marriage was blessed with two children and four grandchildren, Laura (Christopher) Jerlecki, Miranda and Adam, and Dale (Sherry) Vandewarker, Travis and Shelby. Surviving in addition are his mother, Eleanor Vandewarker; sister, Mary Soflin; brother, Larry (Mary) Vandewarker, sisters-in-law, Marcia (Timothy) Turner and Gayle (Duwain) Belkiewicz; brothers in law, Alfred Meyers, Gregory (Terri) Meyers, Victor Meyers, Paul (Samantha) Meyers, Brent (Terri) Meyers, Eric (Jennifer) Meyers; and many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, James A. Vancewarker and his brother-in-law, Rodney Soflin.
Bill enjoyed nature and outdoor activities; camping, gardening, hunting, feeding birds and wildlife; family activities, and morning coffee breaks with his pals.
In honor of his request, Bill’s body has been donated to the University of Michigan Medical Center for research.
A memorial gathering will be held for family and friends at Lake Huron Retreat Center, 8794 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport, from noon until 5pm on Sunday, March 18, 2007. A balloon release ceremony is planned for 3pm.