LOWELL WILLIAM TRACEY

Lowell William Tracey, 89, of Hillman, passed away peacefully Monday, April 7, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family until he entered his eternal rest.

Lowell was born March 1, 1936, to the late William (Willy) and Edna (Bauer) Tracey in Rust Twp., Hillman, MI. There on the family farm, he learned early about hard work with lumber, farming, and horses. When he was a half-pint, he enjoyed riding his tricycle around their family home (never skinning up the walls) and even wore out two trikes by the age of four!

Lowell attended Cohoon County School and later graduated from Hillman High School in 1955. He fell head over heels for a beautiful freshman girl, Caroline Rose Hawley and they married a few years later on Oct. 12, 1957. Lowell had a strong work ethic his whole life. He started at Huron Portland Cement, and then a few years later moved on to Abitibi where he would retire 37 years later. He was a lift truck operator, warehouse acrobat, and active union member at Abitibi for years. At home he could drive a tractor practically in his sleep. All skills surely that sprouted (like the potatoes he commonly grew) from his early trike riding years! Lowell also had an impressively large collection of caps which he frequently wore. He was a kind and loving father to his children and grandchildren. He would offer to help them in any way he could, from building a house with them, cutting firewood for them, or assist in moving them into their new beginnings.

Lowell had a small hobby farm in which he and his wife Caroline kept afloat for many years to provide food and a beautiful homestead for themselves and their five children. He would work a forty-hour work week and still come home and help do daily chores and seasonally harvest the large gardens and fields of wheat, oats, and red potatoes.

Lowell despised snakes of any kind but loved his horses Rocky and Prince and green tractors! He was an annual deer hunter for many years but really enjoyed fishing with family. He was saved by the Lord in his 30s at Hillman Free Methodist Church and later baptized at Lake Ella in Hawks, MI. Lowell loved the Lord and had a talent of playing his harmonica and singing on occasion at church. He also enjoyed listening to Country and Christian music.

His memory will forever carry on in the lives of his family. Lowell is survived by his wife of 67 years, Caroline, five children, Michael (Dolores) Tracey of Hillman, Jerome (Connie) Tracey of Alpena, Linda (Rev. Scott) Joy of Alpena, Alan (Sara) Tracey of Ossineke, and Melissa (Delos) Dever of Alpena, 20 grandchildren, 27 (plus two on the way) great-grandchildren, his younger brother Robert Lee Tracey of Pinckney, MI, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Rose Mary Tracey, granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Joy, and several sisters and brothers in-law. Lowell will be sadly missed for his sense of humor, contagious smile and his genuine love for his family.

A special thank you to all the “sweetheart” Hospice nurses and staff: Gretchen, Rachel, Loretta, Denise, and Toby as well as the caring nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center. Your care and compassion for Lowell did not go unnoticed. To uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy Fee for always being able to jump in and lend a hand whenever needed. Your support helped so much during this time.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home. Visiting will resume on Sunday at Word of Life Church from 1 p.m. until the service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Scott Joy officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Alpena Senior Center. Interment will be at Hillman Rust Cemetery.