William J "Bill" Churchill Sr.

CHURCHILL, William J (Bill), Sr. – of Flint Township, age 89, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Fostrian Manor. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Flushing Presbyterian Church, 5010 N. McKinley Road, Flushing, Michigan, with Pastor Teresa Peterson officiating. Burial at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Visitation 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Reigle Funeral Home, 5501 W. Pierson Road, Flushing, Michigan. Visitation at church from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday. Bill was born August 16, 1927 in Flint, Michigan, the son of the late Robert and Harriet (Husted) Churchill. Bill graduated with the Class of 1945 from Flint Northern High School where he had served as class president. He was also a member of the school’s track and field team and the quarterback of the 1944 football team, coached by the legendary Guy V. Houston. He also boxed in the Flint Golden Gloves. Bill’s career in the glass business began when Coach Houston introduced him to Albert J. Koerts. In 1947, between two tours of duty in the U.S. Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Simpson. Shortly thereafter, Bill helped to start a contract glazing division to compliment the painting operation of Koerts Glass and Paint. The business grew rapidly, in response to the demand for new commercial buildings and factories, in the Flint area. Bill took ownership of the company in 1970. The operation was responsible for installing doors and windows in countless buildings in the Flint area, all around the state of Michigan, and the Midwest. The City of Flint was the first municipality in the U.S. to adopt an affirmative action plan for hiring. Under his management, Koerts Glass and Paint was the first business, in Flint, to implement the hiring guidelines, mandated by the program. Throughout his career, Bill sought to serve our community through his many volunteer efforts. He was a long time member of the Optimist Club of Downtown Flint. He served as Governor of the Michigan District of Optimist International, 1974-1976. Bill served on the Flint Civil Service Commission and volunteered on behalf of the Community Foundation. He was a long time member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army. In 1993, the Salvation Army presented him with the Jack Hamady Humanitarian of the Year award, “for a life of outstanding service to the community”. In 2003, Bill was honored by Mott Community College with its “Distinguished Alumni” award. He served a six year term as treasurer of the Flint Board of Education. Bill also played a part in the creation of the Flint Northern High School Alumni Association. He was particularly proud of his thirty years of service on the McLaren-Flint Board of Trustees and various related committees. Bill enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, playing “13”, reading a good book, and especially, his time with family and friends. He enjoyed watching Detroit Tiger ballgames and listening to (and singing) any song performed by Frank Sinatra. Bill was a longtime member of Parkland Presbyterian Church. Most recently, he was a member and elder of Flushing Presbyterian Church. Surviving are: his wife of nearly 70 years, Virginia Churchill; daughters, Susan (Harold) Drake, of Lake Orion, Brenda (Gary) Hartley of Flushing, Marcia (Bill) Pletz of Grand Ledge, sons, Bill Jr. (Denise) Churchill of Flushing, and Randy (Alicia) Churchill of Playa Vista, CA; 12 grandchildren; 26 and ½ great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter; brothers and sisters-in-law, several nieces, nephews, loved ones, and friends. Mr. Churchill was preceded in death by his twin sister, Laura Jean, sister, Wanda, and by his sister, Sally Trovillion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army-Flint Citadel, or to the Flushing Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.reiglefuneralhome.com