William "Bill" Duane Barr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Traverse City - William Duane Barr, of Traverse City, passed away Monday, November 18, 2013 in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Bill was born on June 14, 1926 in Traverse City to the late Charles C. and Clara B. (Ramsay) Barr. He attended Traverse City Elementary and High Schools. Bill enlisted in the Army after school and honorably served in World War II. Bill then became a journeyman electrician and was a proud member of the Local Union #498 in Traverse City. A career highlight for Bill was working as an electrician during the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. Bill entered into marriage with Kathryn (Kay) Marie Michler on June 13, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Farmington, MI. Bill and Kay lived over half their lives in an Airstream trailer; traveling all over the southern and western United States, while sending home many postcards of their sights. They spent summers at their home in Traverse City, where Bill honed his vintner skills, as well as playing cards, listening to music and dancing. Together Bill and Kay also enjoyed the time spent at all the Ramsay and Barr/Mckinley family reunions. Bill and Kay were members of the Central Methodist United Church in Traverse City. Bill is survived by his sister Jean Weatherholt, nieces, nephews and cousins: Ralph (Sandy) Green, Karen (Norm) Buchan, Marilyn Davis, Sherry Lark, Julie (Alex) Misico, Jill (David) Kipley, Janine (Paul Nimmer) Weatherholt, Jon Weatherholt, Camille (Jeff Leonhardt) Weatherholt, Michelle Weatherholt, Stanley Latesky, Hazel (Dale) Wagner, Michael (Carrie) Latesky, and William (Michelle) Latesky, Patty McKinley (Scott), Judy (Gary) Braun, Adeline (Dick) Smith, Lon McKinley, Mick (Sarah) McKinley, Billee (Ron) Wardwell, Mildred Butolph, Virginia (Don) Porter, and Carolyn Peterson, as well as many great- nieces and nephews and many other loving family members and friends. He also leaves a very special cousin and friend Wayne (Sandy) McKinley. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Kay, sisters Pauline Lautner and Cleone Green and his parents. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 PM until 7 PM on Tuesday November 26, 2013 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 11 am on Wednesday November 27, 2013 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with Rev. Dale Ostema officiating. Grave-side committal services will be held immediately following at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens . A luncheon will follow at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army of Traverse City or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please share thoughts with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

William "Bill" Duane Barr

June 14, 1926 - November 18, 2013