TRAVERSE CITY — Bill Stepke, 83, of Traverse City, passed away June 1 on the 14th hole while enjoying his passion for golf. Bill was born on Jan. 14, 1928, in Detroit, to the late Herbert and Alice (Whiting) Stepke. Bill was proud of his honorable service in the United States Army. In 1948, Bill married the former Shirley Juleff in Detroit. During his younger years, Bill was a car salesman in Birmingham. In 1965, he and his family moved to Traverse City, where he owned Grand Valley Mobile Homes. He was quite the entrepreneur and operated several successful businesses. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, poker and making beautiful stained glass windows. For the past 30 years, he and Shirley spent winters in Florida. Bill was a lifetime member of the Mims United Methodist Church in Mims, Fla., and never missed Wednesday night supper. Above all else, Bill was a loving father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley; his children, Sandra (Mark) Houser, William (Monica Shefferly) Stepke, Susan Stepke, Robert (Deb Bussa) Stepke, John (Beth Simmons) Stepke, Jill (Scott) Hotchkiss and Tamara (Robert) Dowd; grandchildren, William Conde, Debra Schlaack, Bridget Ervin, Bethany Ervin, Jason Zanes, Joshua Stepke, Maxwell Stepke, Molly Sundstrom, Maggy Smith, James Stepke, Kate Atwood, Conrad Stepke, Laura Stepke, Samantha Murray, Lucas Murray, Elizabeth Dowd and Christopher Dowd; 23 great-grandchildren; and brother, Vern (Ida) Stepke. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Harold and Carl Ludwig. The family has planned a private service to honor and celebrate Bill's life. Memorial contributions in Bill's honor may be directed to the Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or to the Mims United Methodist Church, 3302 Green Street, Mims, FL 32754-3813. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with Bill's family. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.