William "Bill" Clarady

Bill was born April 26, 1947, to Donald Gerald and AnnaJeanne (Grandy) Clarady, in Evart, Michigan, where he was lovingly nurtured and raised, participated in Scouting, explored the area and swam the waters with a handful of chums, and attended school. Bill graduated in 1965 from Evart High School, where he was a good student, a strong and popular leader, and enthusiastic athlete. (It was in adulthood that Bill pursued golfing with the Carruthers, the Smiths, and Lil Brother Craig; intramural basketball- perfecting his one-inch vertical; catching slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball; he was an armchair devotee of college sports.) Bill drifted through a year at Central Michigan University before it was agreed that he would take a break from there to serve in the U.S. Navy: a better fit for the small-town boy with wanderlust. Bill earned an E5 rank as a 2d Class Quartermaster, alternately navigating and steering the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Seas on an oil-tanker for two years during the Vietnam War; a volunteer of the Navy Reserves was an honor. Bill eventually returned to and earned a teaching degree from CMU, realizing a storied career in Education as an early elementary school teacher. It was by happenstance that Bill discovered his calling as a beloved classroom aide and then a teacher for "aging out" young-adult students with special needs. Other employment gigs included managing a farm-implement business in his hometown; working as a printer for his friend, Rusty's small-town newspaper "The Evart Review" before moving on to "The Big Rapids Pioneer"; and as a Sales Associate for Charlie Brown at "U.P. Tire" in SSM, Michigan. Bill's community engagement included serving as a volunteer fireman, the distribution of pantry items and perishables to those who were food insecure, and countless hours on bleachers, stadium seats, and folding chairs at students' athletic, fine and performing arts events. Bill was an intrepid traveler who loved afternoon rides, spontaneous day-trips, and camping; any destination was acceptable, yet if it was on or near the water: he was enthusiastically on board! Bill was an avid supporter of and visitor to State and National Parks, traveling extensively in North America. Bill yearned to be outdoors! Bill hiked, explored, swam, snowshoed, went sightseeing, beachcombed, was equally awed by sunrises and sunsets, and was fascinated by the nightsky and the aurora; he celebrated a good campfire- with a s'more and/or a favorite adult beverage in-hand; Bill loved boating, kayaking, and canoeing. As an avid collector, Bill also loved to bargain shop: garage/yard sales, secondhand and thrift stores... for vintage clothing, gadgets, and gear for himself and others; he sought black diamond willow to fashion into walking sticks and canes; he amassed Boy Scout paraphernalia, jackknives, and his Stormy Kromer caps, clothing, and accessories would light Bob Jacquart's face with a smile; his U.P. Tire coworkers nicknamed him "Goodwill Bill" for his weekly forays to that store, and the treasures he would buy- oftentimes for them. Bill was an avid and successful sportsman, hunter, and fisher. Bill tried his hand at quilting, he knitted 100 caps for neonates, and was a fan of page-turner adventure and mystery books. Bill was a good cook, a master bread-baker who perfected his mother's recipe for Cinnamon Rolls (and for her Cheese&Macaroni), he liked grilling; Bill enjoyed gardening, harvesting, canning, and freezing food... in mid-adulthood he even developed a taste for vegetables. Bill savored "good, dark roast coffee" (a respectful nod to the LeBlanc family at "The Dancing Crane", Bay Mills, MI) that transitioned to an occasional indulgence in a steamy mug of chocolate chai. Bill exemplified humble gratitude and thanksgiving for a life of comfort and contentment, a life well lived. Bill was a 45-year survivor of NonHodgkins Lymphoma- yet the very treatments that eradicated the disease, decimated his body with ailments and conditions that a league of Michigan's best medical professionals from 18 different institutions could treat but not cure. Bill died Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, with Kath sitting vigil. Bill was married to and divorced from Eva Jean (Lewis) Schoon; with her, he was the parent of Matthew William (Diana) Clarady, and Jessica Catherine (Doug) Powers; there are four granddaughters and one grandson. Bill was the brother of Cathleen Ann (Steven) Wildes, Craig Donald Clarady, Christy Marie (Frederick) Lang; Bill was an uncle of two nieces, three nephews, three step-nieces, and their children. Bill was predeceased by both of his parents, a niece (Amy Brett Wood), a favorite uncle and his wife (Robert and Bethel [Watt] Grandy), a sister-in-law Tamara (Lehman) Clarady, numerous other relatives, and way too many friends. For 41 years, Bill celebrated a rich and fulfilling marriage with his cherished best friend and soulmate, Kathleen Marie (Frisk-Skowronski) Clarady. She somehow survives. Their relationship extended Bill's family of survivors to include Kath's mother, Helen Suzanne (White) Frisk, Kath's sister MerriJo Frisk, and Kath's brother USMC MSgt Ret Charles Arthur (Katie) Frisk and their family: Hunter Nicholas (Hannah) Frisk, and Tanner Michael Frisk. A network and community of beloved friends-like-family will carry on. All will miss how Bill enriched their lives with his indefatigable spirit, irreverent sense of humor and wit, his recall of trivia, and his steadfastness that was an anchor in Life's stormy seas. "Grief is the price we pay for love." (HM The Queen, after 9/11) Bill, we will see you in the cedar swamp, the swirling stream, the orange flame, the Gitchee Gumee sunset, around the next bend. Way to follow your North Star, Bill. You did it your way. A party in celebration of Bill's life will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's name to a medical school of your choice, or a public school athletic fund. Memories and expressions of sympathy may be sent to Kath at their home address.

Tributes

William "Bill" Clarady

April 26, 1947 - October 25, 2022