×

WILLY ALFONS DEMEULENAERE

Jan. 27, 1936

to

March 7, 2019

Willy “Bill” Alfons Demeulenaere, age 83, of Hillman, Mich., passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with metastasized renal cancer.

He was born on Jan. 27, 1936 in Lichtervelde, Belgium to Emiel and Irma (Vandecastelle) Demeulenaere, the youngest of five children. In the spring of 1937, the family immigrated to the U.S. when it became apparent that war was once again imminent in Europe. And, indeed the family home was bombed when World War II began.

After arriving by ship at Ellis Island, the family traveled by train to Warren, Mich., to their farm where they lived for the next 19 years. (With great sorrow the family’s eldest son, U.S. Cpl. Robert Demeulenaere was killed in an Army Air Corp. crash on Dec. 6, 1944.)

On June 18, 1955, Willy and Nancy Julia (Wille) Demeulenaere were joined in Holy Matrimony at St. Clement Catholic Church in Center Line, Mich. They were childhood sweethearts and neighbors who went on to celebrate 63 years of marriage prior to Bill’s death on March 7, 2019. They were true soul mates who each described the other as “the only love of my life”.

They celebrated the birth of four children: Bruce William (deceased in infancy), Perry Michael Demeulenaere, Janet Lee Demeulenaere, and Andrea Denise Kovacic. Bill was the very hardworking wage earner for his beloved family, and Nancy was a stay-at-home mom for many years.

Growing up, Bill loved his home on the farm with his many animals and pet crows. Animals, butterflies, plants and trees were always his passion throughout life. Hunting, fishing, ice skating, hockey and baseball were important in his earlier years. As an older adult, Bill continued to love all animals and birds and finally became a conservationist and never went hunting again. Later, Bill also enjoyed collecting antiques and all types of collectibles.

Bill took great pride in becoming a U.S. Citizen, at age 21, and sworn in at Mount Clemens, Mich. He always remained a very proud citizen of the United States.

Bill leaves to cherish his memory his three children: Perry (Connie), Janet and Andrea, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one soon-to-be born great-grandson, Mason Willy Demeulenaere. Also surviving are his only surviving brother, 92-year old Cyriel DeMeulenaere, sister-in-law, Betty Thomas and many loving nieces and nephews. Family was always the light of Bill’s life.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Emiel and Irma Demeulenaere, father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Julia Wille, infant son Bruce William, brother Robert and sisters, Celina (Julius) Ryckewaert and Livea (Marvin) Poelke, and sisters-in-law Helen DeMeulenaere and Shirley (Paul) Morin. Also preceded by his nephew and best friend growing up, James Ryckewaert.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home, Hillman, Mich., from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 and continue at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Hillman, Mich., on Monday March 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Michael Connor officiating. Interment will be at St. Augustine Cemetery, Hillman, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Elk Country Animal Shelter, Atlanta, Mich. or St. Augustine Cemetery Fund, Hillman, Mich.