William D. Straub

Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Bill had a love for Northern Michigan and the great outdoors, including fishing, hunting and gardening. He attended Traverse City Central High School, where he was elected class president, played football and ran track.

He enlisted in the Air Force after high school in October 1944. Upon discharge from military service, he briefly attended Michigan State University and walked on to the football team (as a bench-warmer), before transferring and graduating from the University of Michigan in 1952.

His love of cars led him to sell Mercedes Benz during college. This experience was followed by a lengthy career in advertising, marketing, and publishing, in which he specialized in the automotive and oil industries. In the advertising industry, his accounts included Studebaker, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz, General Tire & Rubber, and American Oil. His marketing expertise led to entrepreneur and publishing opportunities in those same industries, including co-owner of Lansing-Lewis Energy Company, a Sun Oil jobbership, and later publisher of several trade magazines, including National Petroleum News and Fuel Oil News. He loved to work and retired at nearly 80 years old.

Despite Bill’s strong work ethic, he loved being surrounded by family and friends and was a consummate host. He lived his life with optimism and enthusiasm. He raised his family with his beloved wife, Marilyn, primarily in East Lansing, Michigan. He was a supportive and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Eldred. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his daughter Cynthia Mogentale (Eric), and his four grandchildren, Kaitlin, Natalie and Michael Mogentale, and Brandon Eldred.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the Straub family.