William Rhodes

Died unexpectedly at home on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Bill was born February 24, 1942 in Forsyth, Georgia the only child of Clayburn P. and Bernice (Wilkes) Rhodes. He was a 1960 graduate of Mary Persons High School in Forsyth. During his junior year in high school, Bill joined the National Guard. After high school he served his six month mandatory active duty term with the U. S. Army under the National Guard Plan. Bill was employed several years and then joined the U.S. Air Force and served with them 1961-1968. During military service he graduated from Electronic School and worked as an air craft control and radar repairman. After the service, Bill was employed for 13 years by Interstate Motor Freight; leaving as a Logistics Manager. He then worked for Shepard Products in St. Joseph, MI for 10 years as a materials manager; and after 10 more years with J.B.S. in Plainwell, MI, he retired as the safety director. Bill married Jill T. Thomas Lancaster on January 3, 1981. Surviving are his wife, Jill; two daughters, Kimberly Ann (Darren) Dyke of Minot, ND, Andrea Michelle (Andy) Campbell of Naperville, Il; three stepsons, Dr. Kent (Elizabeth) Lancaster of Stevensville, Mark (Denise) Lancaster of Richland, Vance (D.J.) Lancaster VanDaele of Iowa City, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents. Bill was a member of Lake Doster Golf Club and he attended St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Bill enjoyed golfing, watching sports and especially cheering on the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He was a former member of the MSU Downtown Coaches Club and the Kalamazoo Traffic Club. Bill was loved by everyone who knew him. Committal and military honors will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery 1:30 pm. Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be made to Songs Against Slavery (Founded by Lauren Lancaster & Grace Theisen) Please send checks made out to Songs Against Slavery to: P.O. Box 90882, Nashville, TN 37209. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.