William Samuel Bushnell, 65 of Rapid City, died on May 25, 2007, after a seven month battle with lung cancer.
The son of Harvey and Blanche Bushnell, Bill was born in Buffalo, NY, on Sep 12, 1941, and spent most of his life as a resident in Birmingham, MI. He was a proud graduate of Culver Military Academy, attended Lehigh University, and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Detroit. He married Margaret Jeanne Panter in 1963. Their first child, Kimberly, was born a year later, followed by their son, William in 1967.
Bill began his career in the steel business while attending night school at U of D; his boss, Ian Kiltie, had to lie about his age before Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation would hire him. Kiltie would become a major influence in Bill's life. Bill remained at Allegheny Ludlum for over thirty years, interrupted briefly by a five year period in the mid 1970's, when he went to work for his brother in law, William Busch, at HavenBusch Steel Company in Grand Rapids. Returning to Allegheny for the remainder of his career, Bill retired in 2001 as a regional manager.
Retirement suited Bill, He and Peggy built their dream house on Elk Lake. He was a volunteer instructor for Inland Seas, sang in the Elk Rapids Community Choir, and played saxophone in Northwestern Community College Band. He also volunteered at the Music House in Acme. An avid golf league and enjoyed his last round of golf last fall on the Famed Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. He also loved to sail and cherished several bareboat charters with his family.
Retirement also enabled Bill to give back to his church and his community. He was a trustee for the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids where he was instrumental in getting the church involved with Eagle Village, a treatment and resident facility for abused, neglected, and delinquent children. He delivered Meals on Wheels in Antrim County and built countless homes with Habitat for Humanity and Freedom Builders. A perfect day for Bill consisted of splitting firewood with his grandchildren and donating the proceeds from each cord to First Presbyterian Church.
Bill is survived by a large and loving family: his wife, Peggy; daughter, Kimberly (Brad) Welch; son William Jr (Marilee) Bushnell; four grandchildren, Samuel and Natalie Welch and William and Katherine Bushnell; mother in law, Helen Panter; brtoher in laws, Robert (JoAnn) Panter and Richard (Glynda) Christian-Panter; nephews, David, Steven, and Richard Busch; and nieces, Jennifer Collins, Cindy Lardie, and Juliet Christian-Smith.
We'll miss you laddie!
A Memorial SErvice will take place for Bill on Thu, May 31, 2007, at The First Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids at 1 pm Rev. Dr. Daniel Herlein will be officiating the service.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
