Billy Ray McCormick Sr.

He was born February 4, 1954, in Bessemer, Alabama, to Charlie and Ollie Bell (Ward) McCormick. He gave his life to Christ at the age of 11. He attended W.A. Bell, Little Brighton and Big Brighton Schools in Bessemer. He came to Michigan in 1969 but returned to Alabama then

Came back to Michigan in 1971 and made it his home. He met his sweetheart, the love of his life, Patricia (Patty Porter) in 1972 and began dating and later married. He graduated from Albion Senior High School in 1972.

Billy and Patty married in 1977, and to this union three children were born; April, Twynette and Billy Jr. Billy worked for Hayes Albion (Harvard Industries) for 30 years until they closed their doors. He was on the 474 UAW board and played on their baseball team in 1973 and 1974. He also worked at Guardian Fiberglass, Lear’s Corporation, and AC Foundry until he became disabled and unable to work. Billy gave his life to East Chestnut Street Church of Christ. He drove the church van, was a Sunday school teacher, a song leader, sang with the Gospel Aires, and was an active member. He was the captain for the Northwest Neighborhood Watch Group, he was a member of Citizens to Beautify Albion planting flowers around town, and received an award through the Festival of the Forks. He would clean the trash from the sides of the road all the way down Bemer Street, where he resided. He was involved with Men Who Cook and fixed on houses in Albion for Habitat for Humanity. Over the years Billy enjoyed hunting, fishing, planting red flowers in his yard, doing puzzles, barbequing (no matter the weather), and loved gardening. Every year he would plant his own garden in his backyard. He enjoyed watching it grow. When he became unable to do it on his own, his daughter Twynette took over for him to enjoy. Billy helped to raise several nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids who looked to him as a special Uncle (dad). He enjoyed watching sports and westerns and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.

Billy leaves to cherish his wife Patty; two daughters, April (Todd) Bridges and Twynette McCormick, both of Albion; son, Billy McCormick Jr. of Albion; sister, Charlene McCormick of Albion; two brothers, Tommy (Tina) McCormack of Albion and Jeffery (Joyce) McCormick of Bessemer, AL; aunt, Rosie Rodans of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; ten grandkids, Shawn (Blanca) Johnson of Point Mugu, CA, De’Sherrionte, Tatiana, and Amarion Bridges, Eron and Larenz Hill, Bryce and Chase McCormick, all of Albion, Darius McCormick of Detroit, and Aiden Gillum of Battle Creek; three great-grandkids, Elena and Amelia Johnson of Point Mugu, CA and Michael Chery Jr.

Of Albion; four brother-in-laws, Donny, Henry, David and Michael (Vette) Porter all of Albion; a god-daughter, Callie Taylor of Albion; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Charles McCormick, a sister, Floryda Clemons; several aunts, uncles, cousins, one sister-in-law and three brother-in-laws.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 1:00PM with family hour at 12:00PM at the

J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion, Michigan 49224 with Rev. Frank Murphy officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, January 3 from 5:00 – 7:00PM at the funeral home.

To leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com