TRAVERSE CITY - Wilfred John "Bill" Baatz, 83, of Traverse City, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at The Villa at Traverse Point.

Bill was born on Friday, March 5, 1937 to the late Wilfred and Dorothy (Bowen) Baatz in Empire. He graduated from Empire High School and then served in the U. S. Air Force from 1957 until 1960, being honorably discharged.

A mechanic, Bill had worked on air craft and heavy equipment and then worked in carpentry, building homes in the area prior to his retirement. Bill had enjoyed hunting and fishing and being in the out of doors during his leisure time. He spent a good deal of time gardening, enjoyed farming and was a member and the "official greeter" at Mt. Zion Family Worship Center. Bill will always be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, always being a hard worker and always providing for his family.

Bill is survived by his wife Vada; by his children, Alynn Schoener of Manistee, Lorrie (Cleve) Morris, Donna Eckstein and Wilfred J. (Kirstin) Baatz, all of Traverse City, Faylisa 'Lisa' (Erik) Lamp of Kalkaska; son in law, Gary Johnson of Traverse City; 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; his former wife Donna Baatz of Traverse City; Step mother Mildred Baatz and his brother, Peter Baatz , both of Thompsonville and several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Johnson; his parents and siblings, Richard, Dale and Donald Baatz and Dorothy Erickson.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 at Mt. Zion Family Worship Center, 4950 Silver Pines Rd., Traverse City, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Health safety precautions are to be observed.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be directed to the National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 or online www.donate.nationalparks.org .