Billy M. Lewis
Dec. 30, 1930-April 14, 2009
Billy M. "Bill" Lewis, 78, of Snyder Road, Berrien Springs, died at 2:58 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, following a brief illness.
Mr. Lewis was born on December 30, 1930, in Spartanburg, SC, to Grover C. and Ruth D. (McCarter) Lewis. He graduated from Spartanburg High School and earned his associate degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Bill moved to this area in 1955. He retired in 1987 after 33 years of service with the AT&T Telephone Company, serving in both the Niles and South Bend locations.
Bill was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the United States Navy Air Corps.
Mr. Lewis was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #978 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094, both in Niles. He enjoyed fellowship with friends, gardening, and all types of movies.
In South Bend, IN, in June 1956, he first married Roselle Meszaros. On November 12, 1992, in Niles, Bill later married Karen (Walker) Lewis, who survives. He is also survived by his son, George E. (Lori) Lewis, and daughter, Vickie L. (Jay) Anderson, both of South Bend; stepdaughters, Diana (John) Baxter of Niles and Sandra Bowling of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Lindsay, Joshua, Daniel, Kenny, Lauren, Dylan and Taylor; a sister, Betty Vickery of Savannah, GA; many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert E. Lewis and George G. Lewis; and sisters, Ruth Floris and Mevlyn Atkinson.
The funeral service for Billy M. "Bill" Lewis will be held Friday, April 17th, at 1 p.m. in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Mark J. Smith of Berrien Center Bible Church, Berrien Center, MI, officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with full military honors following the service at the graveside by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan, MI. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown