William Perry Schwind

TRAVERSE CITY — William “Bill” Perry Schwind, 63, of Traverse City died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Munson Medical Center, after a short battle with lung cancer. Bill was born in Traverse City, on Oct. 30, 1948 to Ferdinand W. and Elizabeth B. (Baynton) Schwind. He graduated in 1966 from Traverse City Central High School. Bill was a sergeant in United States Army, specializing in telecommunications and serving mostly in Germany from 1970 to 1972. In 1973, he met Patricia “Pat” Whiteford, and they were married on Oct. 25, 1974 in Traverse City. Bill was a plumber/pipefitter for 35 years with Traverse City Local 639, and with Saginaw Local 85 after the two merged. He was a member of the American Military League and Turtle Lake Yacht Club. Bill loved the outdoors, especially fishing, camping and walking in the woods, and the occasional casino outing. He impacted the hearts and lives of many people. He was a good, hardworking, honest man and role model for his family. Bill loved laughter and a good joke, and he celebrated life every day. Thank you so much for being a part of our lives and memories. Bill was the proud father of his daughters Sheila (Jeff) Zenner of Kingsley and Melissa (David) Wittbecker of Buckley; proudest grandfather of six awesome grandchildren, Ashley, Kayley, Nathan and Jacob Zenner; Lily and Lucas Wittbecker, and a new baby granddaughter due in December. Bill is survived by his wife of 38 years, Pat; his children and grandchildren; his mother Elizabeth; sisters Linda (Art) Gauthier, and Nancy (Jim) Strang; brothers Jim (Vonnie) Schwind, and Jerry (Cheryl) Schwind, all of the Traverse City area, and aunts and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ferdinand; sisters Beverly Shoffner and Karen Gauthier; and niece Cindy Gauthier. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at Living Hope Assembly of God Church, 3050 S. Airport Road W. (by Target) in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Living Hope, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested any contributions be made to the family for his grandchildren’s education, The Salvation Army, the Wounded Warrior Project, or plant a tree in his memory. The family would like to give a special thanks to Munson ICU and the B-4 nurses and staff. Please share your memories of Bill with his family by way of his online guestbook at www.kalkaskafuneralhome.com. The family is being served by Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services. GONE FISHIN’

William Perry Schwind

October 30, 1948 - September 8, 2012