William Sircy was born and raised on a farm in Carthage, Tennessee. He was the third of six children. During the Great Depression, his family raised over 200 acres of crops and hogs. The fields were plowed with mules. His mother cooked over a wood-burning stove. Water was carried up in buckets from the spring. Clothes were washed weekly in a kettle. Bill was 15 years old when the house finally got electricity.
At 19 years old, he entered the United States infantry and arrived in Europe in November 1945, just after the Nazi surrender in World War II. He served in the occupational forces keeping the peace.
After the war, he moved north to Michigan in search of work. He worked in steel and forgings businesses.
In the early 1950s, Bill drove back to Tennessee with his brother's girlfriend and her friend (Shirley) for the Thanksgiving holiday. On the way back to Michigan, the three were in a car accident that left Bill with a broken leg. Shirley visited Bill in the hospital and helped him travel back to Michigan by train. The unfortunate car accident resulted in a marriage that lasted 67 years.
In his early years, Bill was a successful boxer. In his later years, he played golf and bowled. However, his true passion was his church. He served many years as a deacon, Sunday School superintendent, and Sunday school teacher for both children and adults.
After six years on dialysis, Bill went home to be with the Lord on January 4. Bill has two sons and daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 3-7 PM, at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Dr, Rochester, Michigan. Funeral service will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 11 AM, with gathering beginning at 10:30 AM, at Pixley Funeral Home in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to The Gideons International.
