William (Bill) Barr

Traverse City – William (Bill) Barr, age 76, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 holding his wife’s hand and surrounded by his three son’s and loving family. Bill was born on July 6, 1942 to George and Emma Barr in Port Huron, MI. Bill grew up in Port Huron where he graduated from Port Huron High School and played basketball for the Big Reds. Bill earned scholarships to Port Huron Junior College (now SC4) and Eastern Michigan University where he earned his B.S. Degree and also played basketball. Bill enjoyed a variety of sports during his life. In High School he was an All-State Basketball player and held the career scoring record for over 40 years. He also played tennis and football. In his youth, his baseball team was McGill Winkie’s, Port Huron’s first little league champions. Bill and the McGill Winkie team were inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame. In the 1970’s in Traverse City, MI, Bill played softball and basketball. He was a member of the Twin Bay All-Stars and once played a charity basketball game against players from the Detroit Lions and Hall of Fame Charlie Sanders. Bill was a life long Tigers, Pistons and Lions fan. He had the opportunity to meet the 1968 Tigers upon their return from winning the 1968 World Series. Bill enjoyed a challenge and had a variety of career experiences. He started out as an elementary and middle school teacher and basketball coach. He then accepted a position as Auditing Supervisor for the State of Michigan. Later, Bill had an opportunity for a new challenge and purchased a A.M Radio Station in Gaylord, Michigan. He turned the radio station around and added a F.M. Radio Station to his broadcasting career. Bill was a successful entrepreneur and loved challenging opportunities to tackle. He always enjoyed building homes and working with wood. He was a master craftsmen having built and finished cabinets. He owned and operated Foxcraft Homes for many years in Port Huron before retiring. He was a hardworking man and enjoyed all of his career opportunities. Bill’s Motto was that “he loved seeing people happy and laughing”. He was always telling corny jokes and made up several of his own. He enjoyed listing the prepositional phrases at will regardless if you were interested. He loved to belt out the opening lines to the song Oklahoma if he had a willing audience or not. Bill was a good friend and loved by many people. But most of all, Bill was a proud and loving husband, wonderful loving father to his 3 son’s, and dearly loved his grandchildren. He always said that “family comes first” and that is how he lived. He enjoyed just being with his family, whether they were spending time at the beach, camping, playing golf in The Villages, FL or just sitting on the porch overlooking his favorite lake and talking to his family. Bill is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 53 years, sons; Dave Barr, Ken Barr and Mike (Jill) Barr, grandchildren; Anthony, Andrew, Emily, Nicholas, Michael, Sarah and Travis, and brothers Ron (Linda) Barr and Jerry Barr. Bill was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to Trina and entire Staff at Culver Meadows for the wonderful care given to Bill during his time there. Per Bill’s request cremation has taken place and a Celebration of his Life will take place in the summer. A notice will be published in the Traverse City Record Eagle and Port Huron Times Herald closer to the date of Bill’s service. In lieu of flowers donations may be considered in William Barr’s name to: Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy., Suite 1155, Traverse City, MI 49684

William (Bill) Barr

July 6, 1942 - December 27, 2018