William Gerard Laethem

William Gerard Laethem, "Bill," age 61, died at his home in Royal Oak, Michigan on Wednesday July 27, 2016. Bill was born February 22, 1955 in Detroit,Michigan, son of the late Henry A. Laethem and the late Leona L. (Nee: Reno) Laethem.Bill was raised in Detroit and attended Denby High School. Following his schooling, Bill went to work for his brother's gas station. Bill performed all duties at the gas station from fueling to tire changing to eventually managing the gas station. Throughout his life, Bill worked various jobs from home repairs to carpentry and painting...Bill was a jack of all trades and even did repairs at the local bowling alley.To all who knew Bill you knew he was a free spirit who would give the last dollar out of his wallet to help a person in need. He defined living his life as he saw fit, with his long hair and his long beard, not conforming to conservative style. Additionally, Bill had passions in life which included riding his motorcycle and bowling. Bill was a talented bowler who had bowled several 300 games during his life. Bill also had a soft side. Some may say Bill was a bit of a current day St. Francis, caring for animals and the downtrodden,...including feeding the squirrels and caring for his own cats.William Laethem was the dear brother of Thomas (Karen) Laethem, Barbara (Gerard) Steiger, Robert Laethem, Rita (Rocco) Stella, Robert (Jerry Kay) Steiger, Patricia (Robert) Sebest, Kenneth (Debra) Steiger, and Alfred (Lynn) Steiger. Bill is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Visitation for Bill will be held Monday, August 1st from 5-9pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ mile) in Warren. Mr. Laethem will lie in state on Tuesday at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 21201 East 13 Mile Rd, in St Clair Shores, from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 10am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Ronald DeHondt. Interment will take place at Christian Memorial Cultural Center Cemetery in Rochester Hills, Michigan.Please share memories of Bill at his memory book above.