William Busby Jr.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, William “Bill” Busby, passed away Feb. 23, 2014, at 3:30 p.m., surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 24, 1941, in Wyandotte, to William and Irene Busby, of Trenton.

Bill leaves behind to honor his memory his beloved wife, Charlotte (Char) Busby; son, Robert and his wife Marcela, of Cape Coral, Fla.; daughter, Shelley, of Grand Rapids; son, Dan and his wife Lisa, of Mesick; and brother-in-law Chuck and his wife Dottie of North Carolina. Bill had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Bill graduated from Trenton High School class of 1959. Bill and Char were married Dec. 30, 1961, and shared 52 wonderful years together.

After graduation from Michigan State University, Bill joined the Michigan D.N.R. as a conservation officer and was stationed in Dowagiac, Oscoda and the U.P. in Houghton. Bill was then asked to head the Investigative Unit of the newly established Environmental Enforcement Division of the D.N.R.

Upon retirement Bill and Char purchased Whispering Winds Resort in Oscoda, where “Captain Bill” also owned and operated “Loons Call” fishing charters and took hundreds of people for trips on the Great Lakes. Bill and Char also became real estate agents working for Better Homes and Gardens realty, Oscoda.

Upon full retirement Bill and Char spent winters in Ft. Myers and then Spring Hill, Fla., and summers in Arcadia and then Buckley.

Bill enjoyed being in the out-of-doors; he loved fishing, hunting, sports (especially MSU) and his gardening. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, leaving memories for all to cherish and enjoy. Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kosinski, Munson Infusion Clinic and Munson Hospice House for their wonderful support and compassion they showed to Bill and his family. We would also like to thank Vaughn Seavolt at Life Story Funeral Home for his guidance through this tough time. We met some wonderful, caring people and want to thank all of them. It meant so much to all of us.

The family is planning a Celebration in honor of Bill’s life, the weekend July 19, 2014, at the Boardman Nature Center; the time will be announced later.

Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice House, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.

Please visit Bill’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guestbook and share a message with his family.