Here on Earth, in a woodshop just north of Empire, the hammer is still and the saw hangs silent. However, up in heaven, a new pile of sawdust is emerging as faithful servant William B. “Bill” Bolton prowls the halls of heaven asking each of the angels, “What can I do for you?” So it is that Bill passed into the next world on May 13, surrounded by loving family at The Maples.

During his earthly sojourn, Bill cut a wide swath and embodied the often overused term “servant leader,” although he himself never used that phrase. In the 1980s and 1990s, when St. Philip Neri had lots of children and no money — but desperately needed a classroom wing — Bill simply said, “Let’s build it ourselves.” And they did, for less than $65,000, entirely with volunteer labor.

If you ever had the opportunity to take a drive with him around Glen Lake, it became a travelogue. There was scarcely a cottage he had not roofed, added a deck onto, constructed a second bathroom for, or helped improve with a dock.

Of all his civic endeavors, Bill was most proud of helping build the Empire Fire Hall, improving the Empire Campground and making it profitable for the township, and promoting improvements to the Empire airport. At the conclusion of his nearly 30 years as Empire Township supervisor, the board honored him by naming it the William B. Bolton Airport.

Another of his proud accomplishments was his 30 years as a high school science teacher at Glen Lake, where he was once selected as Michigan Science Teacher of the Year. A testament to his influence as an instructor was evident in the many letters and visits from former students after his retirement — many of them well into their 80s — including during his final two years at The Maples.

Along the way, he was joined by his wife of more than 50 years, Jo, who preceded him in death in 2005. Bill was also a huge supporter of “her baby,” the Empire Museum, where he could often be found alongside Dave Taghon roofing buildings, building cabinets, refurbishing the Roen Saloon, and tackling countless other projects.

Against this backdrop of service and accomplishment, Bill viewed his family as his most precious legacy. Leading off was Mike (Ruthy Pleva) Bolton, followed in rapid succession by Mary Jo (Dave) Hughes, Elizabeth (Ben) Frank, Patricia (Kim) Marek, Wyman (Maureen Talbot) Bolton, Joseph (Tara Daugherty) Bolton, and Peter (Mary Cwengros) Bolton.

His woodworking skills were exceptional and prolific. He crafted bedroom sets and clocks for all his grandchildren, along with countless desks, tables, and chairs for his great-grandchildren. In addition, his custom-made Christmas ornaments — created with help from his daughters Beth and Trish — became an annual favorite among his growing progeny.

Bill also supplied the Empire Lions Club with maple syrup for pancake breakfasts, continuing the maple syrup-making tradition started by his in-laws, a tradition that continues today with the support of the entire family. There was no one who roamed this Earth who got more done in a single day. One of his favorite greetings, rooted in genuine curiosity and never intimidation, was: “What did you get done today?”

William Barnard Bolton was born in Philadelphia on August 24, 1931, to Wyman Jesse and Sophie Leocadia (Waschko) Bolton. Bill was the youngest of three boys, alongside Nelson and Wallis Bolton. When he was 10 years old, his parents purchased a small farm in Quakertown, an hour outside Philadelphia, where Bill spent his summers working with his family. That experience made the transition to rural northern Michigan in 1953 a natural one following his graduation from Lehigh University in 1952 with a geology degree.

While at Lehigh, Bill met Jo on a blind date during a trip to East Lansing with his good friend Bruce Spaulding. Following on Jo’s Michigan State roots, Bill earned his teaching certificate and later a master’s degree from the University of Detroit. This launched a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, primarily at Glen Lake, with additional time at Northwestern Michigan College. While teaching was Bill’s day job during the school year, his days never started or ended with the school bell. Whether it was milking the cow in the morning before school started, or fixing a leaky pipe in a cottage crawl space after it ended, Bill never had idle hands. Summer “vacations” were spent either traveling to Detroit to obtain his master’s degree, or building houses, replacing roofs, and repairing decks, followed by cutting wood and otherwise maintaining his farm.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, his wife of 52 years Jo, and her parents, Peter and Marion Manning. He is survived by his seven children, sixteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren — with two more “in the oven” — along with numerous nieces and nephews. The legacy is still expanding.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Empire Area Heritage Group or St. Philip Neri Church.

The Bolton family extends heartfelt thanks to all of the staff at The Maples who cared so kindly for Dad. If only you could have known him when…  Special mention goes to Greg, who helped Dad transition to that growing sawdust pile in the sky.

Visitation for Bill will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire.  A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. that evening.  His Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a visitation held one hour prior also at the Church.  His Burial and Luncheon will follow.