WILLIAM ROSS NAYLOR

William Ross Naylor, 75, of Bay City, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024, at the cottage on Beaver Lake (AKA “The Beave”), his happy place, life’s work, and labor of love for the last 35 years.

William was born March 18, 1949, in Alpena to the late William and Margaret (Nuttle) Naylor. On July 16, 1977, he married the love of his life, Deborah Seres. He served in the United States Navy from 1970-73 serving aboard the USS Blakely. He was a part of the commissioning crew, and watched his ship being built and launched in the naval yard in New Orleans. He was proud to be a plank owner of that ship. He returned to Alpena after his time in the Navy and attended Alpena Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Electronics. He worked in his trade for 10 years before finally returning to Alpena where he then worked at Lafarge for 25 years. He retired on April 1, 2014. Bill had a passion for many things (including Snickers bars and Mountain Dew), and he enjoyed tinkering on his Jeep, working in the yard, and fixing anything and everything. He especially enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, including his five grandchildren and his seven exchange students. He was able to travel to all but one country to visit them and their families.

If you ever met him, spent time with him, laughed with him, then you LOVED him. He touched every person he met in a positive way. He would bend over backwards to help out his fellow human, and no matter how he was wronged by someone, he didn’t have a malicious bone in his body. His sense of humor was infectious, and the size of his heart knew no bounds. He was a true testament and example of what it means to sacrifice for the ones you love.

Surviving are his wife, Deb; two children, Christopher (Jess) Naylor, Laura (Nathan) Badour; five grandchildren, Jaden, Clayton, Maddie, Parker, Tristan; brother Philip Naylor; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Rick (Keow) Naylor.

Memorial visitation will take place Friday at Bannan Funeral Home from 2 to 8 p.m. and continue Saturday at Huron Shores Fellowship from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Warren Hoffman officiating.

Inurnment: Spratt Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to aid in finally completing Bill’s dream of finishing the cottage at Beaver Lake.