William G. ‘Bill’ Myers
March 18, 1932-Oct. 6, 2009
Mr. Myers was born on March 18, 1932, in Niles to Rose Jean Slavicek.
He graduated from Niles High School with the Class of 1950 and was a lifetime Niles resident.
Bill retired after 26 years of service from Clark Equipment Co., having worked both in Benton Harbor and Buchanan.
He was also the Niles Township supervisor for 10 years, serving from 1998-2008.
Bill was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the U.S. Naval Airforce from 1951 to 1955.
He was a member of First Church of Christ on Yankee Street in Niles.
He was also a lifetime member and trustee of B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge 1322, a member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F&AM, and the Niles Shrine Club.
Bill was a former president of the Babe Ruth Baseball League during both World Series that were held in Niles and supported F.O.P. baseball for 22 years.
He enjoyed bowling, fishing, going to Las Vegas and following his kids and grandkids in sports.
On June 7, 1958, in Niles, he married the former Kathryn “Katie” Freeze, who survives.
He is also survived by: his daughter, RoxAnne (Brian) Holmes of Niles; sons, Ronald “Ronnie” (Leanne) Myers of Perth, Australia, and Randy Myers of Niles; grandchildren, Jayme Rutkowske of Niles, Ryan Rutkowske of South Bend, Ind., William Mangold of Niles, Eric Myers of Osceola, Ind., Joshua and Shanae Myers of Perth, Australia, Brian Holmes Jr. of Seattle, Wash., and Jason Holmes of Germany; great-grandchildren, Alex Rutkowske, Austin Platz and Jaiden Mangold, all of Niles; sisters-in-law, Marjory “Mickey” Myers of Sturgis and Carolyn (Robert) Geik of Niles.
Mr. Myers was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lee Myers.
Funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. at First Church of Christ in Niles with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Elks rites by BPOE 1322 of Niles and full military honors by American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan.
His family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday at the church.
Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to Hospice at Home.
Niles Daily Star, Published 9:41am Friday, October 9, 2009