William Richard Mcanallen

TRAVERSE CITY — William "Bill" Richard McAnallen passed away the morning of May 13, 2015 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was 69 years old. Bill McAnallen was born June 3, 1945 in Midland. He was the second child of Waldene Yvonne and William Richard McAnallen and one of seven siblings.
He resided in Traverse City for the past 39 years. Bill lived in Taveres, Florida, the winter of 2015. He was planning to make a permanent move to the Sunshine State, where he had been wintering with friends for the past 10 years.
Bill grew up in Midland and graduated from Midland High School.
His employment in the service industry began at the Midland Country Club as a waiter, cook, maintenance and bartender. He held similar jobs while attending Community College in Lansing.
Drafted in 1967 into the U.S. Armed Forces Army division, he served as a Machine Gunner and ran the motor pool. Bill received several medals for his service in Vietnam.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Military League (AML) and this past winter became an Eagles member in Florida.
Bill returned to Lansing after serving his country; he began what was to be a lifelong career in the bar/restaurant business. He held positions as assistant manager and eventually attained positions as manager with several bar/restaurants in the Lansing and Traverse City areas. One of those employers described Bill as a "master at his trade," serving as a bartender Bill's skills as a "mixologist was something to be marveled at; in 20 years I have seen very few bartenders that can compare with his mastery." Bill was a loyal, dependable employee with great knowledge of the hospitality industry. Bill spent years on the west coast employed as a manager with complete charge of a dinner house operation, the remodeling and opening of a new site by his employer, he was involved in all phases of the business. He went through a management-training program with Far West Services during his employment in California.
A hobby while living in San Diego was going to swap meets. Bill loved going there on the weekends to shop. He began collecting discarded items from restaurant renovations and selling them at the swap meets.
Bill took pride in the fact that he had the opportunity to work with the Special Olympics while employed at a resort in Northern Michigan. He was the food and beverage director working on large-scale banquets and activities in the ski resort and the surrounding area.
He and his longtime friend from high school began a restaurant endeavor in Traverse City; Bill was involved in all phases of the operation. It was open only a few years. Bill's employment with Fivenson Food Equipment in Traverse City was his last job in the food service industry. He began to work for Lear, a Ford manufacturing company, until the company closed its doors in Traverse City and relocated. Employees at Lear knew Bill as a "lively character, he had a way of making the day go by."
Bill spent many summer days on the water. He and his sailing friend co-owned a boat, and they made numerous trips to Beaver Island, Manitou and once to Mackinac Island. His Florida residence is on a canal. He was looking forward to purchasing a boat to keep there for the winter. In addition to sailing, Bill loved to go fishing with his longtime friend.
Bill was an avid sports fan. He loved it all! The Detroit Tigers, he discharged himself out of the hospital in March of this year so that he and friends could attend a Tigers game at the ESPN center in Orlando. He told the staff he was not missing that game! He attended the Kentucky Derby several times over the years and spent many weekends with friends at the Michigan Speedway. He collected NASCAR paraphernalia. One of those friends recounted the elaborate "costumes" Bill would wear each year to the race; he would dress up for the opening night in wigs and various types of clothing, adding other props to go with the costume, and "he never wore the same one twice." Budweiser, Bill's favorite beverage, was an accompaniment at social gatherings he attended.
He had an endless sense of humor. A practical joker, he thrived on the interaction and reactions he received from friends and family. He looked forward to whitetail season. Bill hunted locally around Traverse City for years, spending two weeks at camp with friends. For the past 12 or so years he spent every deer season in the Upper Peninsula with three of his brothers and a few friends. He planned for months what practical jokes he would play on his siblings from year to year. Oh, and Bill wanted to include his older brother who did not join them at deer camp; he would stay up half the night working on his photo collages, and he would photo shop his absent brother into the group so he wouldn't feel left out.
Bill was often the life of the party when in a group of people, a role he played very well. However, there was another side of Bill; his closest friends say, "With us, he could just be himself." An endearing memory for her was the notes he would leave on the couple's calendar when he came to visit; sometimes he would write notes months in advance, they would flip to the next month and there would be a note from Bill. A Christmas Eve tradition for them was filling each other's stockings and the guideline: only purchases from the Dollar Store. Bill joined the couple on many trips. One of those places they enjoyed visiting was the Keweenaw Peninsula to visit family. They shared so many memories and much time together this friend said, "Everything reminds us of Bill."
His ex called every year to thank him for the birth of their daughter. Bill's two beautiful daughters are the best of what he left us. His brothers said, "Deer camp will never be the same," and family gatherings will feel his absence as well.
Despite some personal losses, his health in recent years and struggles he endured in life, we loved Bill, the nephew, brother, father, uncle and friend. He made us laugh and we laughed together. That is a lasting gift.
His two daughters survive him. Erinn (Chris) Hadley, of Lansing, and Dr. Julia McAnallen, of Lansing. He is also survived by six siblings, Tom (Carolyn) McAnallen, of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, Jim (Jill VanderMeer) McAnallen, of Allouez, Navaneet Kjeldsen, of Hancock, Walt McAnallen, of Traverse City, Mary (Richard) Probst, of Eagle Harbor, and Joe McAnallen, of Midland; three grandchildren, Shaye, Averie and Lilli Hadley, of Lansing; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding him in death, besides his parents, was a brother-in-law, Paul Kjeldsen.
Later, the family will gather privately to celebrate Bill's life.
If you wish to contribute to a local charity on Bill's behalf, he would appreciate the American Heart Association.
Please share your thoughts and memories with Bill's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.