William “Bill” Edward Eldred died on June 21, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ga. After enjoying several months in his assisted living community, Azalea Estates, his health began to decline. Bill was born on August 17, 1929 in Lincoln Park, Mich. to Harold and Magdalene Eldred. When he was 8 years old after his parents divorced, his father married Geraldine Kugeth. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1947 and immediately went into the U. S. Army, where he served for five years and became a veteran of the Korean War.
Bill married Vonnie Sprague on August 8, 1953, and over the course of the next twelve years, he fathered four children. Bill moved his family to Elk Grove Village, Ill. in 1969. He retired in 1987 but continued to work part-time. Bill and Vonnie followed their family to Fayetteville, where Bill continued working part-time, as well as volunteering at the senior center. He was a 50-year member of Wayne Masonic Lodge #112, and an active member of American Legion Post 105. He was also quite active in the Methodist Church.
Bill is preceded in death by Vonnie Eldred; his parents, Harold and Magdalene; step-mother, Geraldine; and son Edward Eldred.
He is survived by sister, Shirley Miller; half-sisters, Fran Clemens and Judy Heisler; daughters, Catherine (Stephen) McBride and Penny (Donald) Erbe, and son, Lawrence (Brenda) Eldred; his grandchildren, Jed (Erin) McBride, Lindsay (Jeffrey) Bragdon, Rebecca Erbe, Thomas Erbe, and Griffin Eldred; great-grandchildren; Casey Bragdon and Zoe McBride; and a myriad of nieces and nephews.
If anyone desires, the family requests donations to Azalea Estates in Fayetteville, http://azaleaestates.com/georgia-location/ in Bill’s memory.
There are no services planned at this time.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
