Tributes

William Frederick Wallis, age 80, of Pickford, Michigan went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 20, 2018 while surrounded by his family at his home. He was born on February 4, 1938 in Pickford, to Frederick Alvin and Ethel Janet (Rye) Wallis. Bill grew up in Pickford and attended Pickford High School where he was a member of the first track team to win the U.P. State Championship. He graduated with the class of 1956. He attended Michigan State University for two years where he earned a certificate in Agricultural Science. He met Carol Natharius while she was working in Cedarville, Michigan. Bill joined the United States Army for a year before returning home to help on his family farm. On August 15, 1964, Bill married Carol and they began their family, raising seven children. Bill was a member of the Pickford Presbyterian Church, the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Pickford Lions Club, and the Michigan Milk Producers Association, where he served as a board member for 25 years. Bill’s passions were family, farming and hunting. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, snowmobiling, and watching the Detroit Tigers. He loved his family and instilled in them a foundation of faith in God and a strong work ethic. For 24 years, Bill traveled to South Dakota where he hunted pheasants with his brother Gerald Wallis and good friends Bill (Doc) Barber and Gary Crawford. Bill is survived by his wife, Carol of Pickford; children, Jana (Walt) Franke of Traverse City, Bryce (Lori Adams) Wallis of Pickford, Amy (Jeff) Blumenthal of Ossineke, Darin (Ressie Stranaly) Wallis of Pickford, Julie (Jim) Izzard of Petoskey, Jill (Mike) Brown of Daggett, and Shaunna (Randy) MacDonald of Pickford; grandchildren, Connor, Colton, Cara, Caleb, Joel, Jared, Ava, Alexa, Ian (Bailee), Mia, Emma, Seth, Jack, Shane, Ethan, Morgan, Griffin, Ella, Eli, and Liam; sister, Ardith Bawks of Sault Ste. Marie; brother-in-law, Jim Quinnell of Pickford; sisters-in-law, Ginny Wallis of Cadillac and June (Keller) Suberkropp of Sliver Lake, New Mexico. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald Wallis; sister, Beth Quinnell; sister-in-law, Judy Wallis; and brothers-in-law, Dale Bawks and Ed Natharius. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Pickford Presbyterian Church. The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Jessica Paulsen will be officiating. Burial will be at Cottle Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the E.U.P, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or SHSS (Memo: Pennington Home) 1501 W. 6th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

William Frederick "Bill" Wallis

February 4, 1938 - June 20, 2018