LAKIES, Willard Warren (Bill) – of Flushing, age 88, died November 30, 2009.  Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Rossell Funeral Home, 307 E. Main Street, Flushing with Rev. Harold Inman officiating.  Burial will follow at Flushing Cemetery.  Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Wednesday.  The family requests memorial contributions be made to McLaren Hospice or Brian’s House.

Mr. Lakies was born in Mancelona, Michigan on March 23, 1921, the son of August and Bertha Lakies, one of nine children.  He has lived in the Flint and Flushing area most of his life.  He married the love of his life, Leona June Yott on March 28, 1942 and the two have been inseparable ever since.  The couple celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on March 28, 2009.

Mr. Lakies was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Corps, serving during World War II and stationed off the coast of Florida. He was employed by Anchor Steel and was a supervisor at the Chevrolet Truck and Bus Plant before retiring in 1975.  He also worked at Gracie’s Country House for several years after retiring.

Family and friends will most remember him for not letting any grass grow under his feet.  He moved like the speed of lightening.  His favorite things to do were eating out, boating, vacationing in Central Lake with family, making German Potato Sausage with family (which has since become a family tradition) and last, but not least, deer hunting with his special brother-in-law, Hugh Yott.  He recently gave up hunting, but liked to go and watch.  One of his favorite stories to tell is how he won a brand new Buick LaCross from Patsy Lou Williamson’s dealership in 2005.  He pushed the button and nothing happened – so he was leaving and then all of a sudden alarms started to go off.  He thought the place was getting robbed.

He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by: Leona, his wife and sweetheart; his two daughters, Sharon (Mike) Hennagir, Connie (Leroy) Smith; grandchildren, Michelle, Duane (Michelle), Steve (Monique), Vikki (Harold), Sarah, Krystle (Jerry), Deanne, Lesha, Kristen and Jeffery; ten great-grandchildren, Alicia, Dani, Rachel, Carter, Garrett, Sydney, Hunter, Evalena, Sidney, and Jacob.  He leaves many cherished memories for those he came in contact with and especially the wonderful stories about his childhood growing up that he told to his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Len; daughter, Valerie; son-in-law, Rocky; parents; seven brothers; and a sister.  The Lakies family wishes to send a special thank you to Dr. Marvin Latchana, Dr. Cyrus Farrehi, Hospice staff at Brian’s House, McLaren Visiting Nurses (especially Melinda and Robin), and the staff at Hyde Park who made him a part of their family.

Friends may share their on-line condolences at www.rossellfuneralhomeinc.com.

Notification Published by Rossell Funeral Home

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