William "Bill" W. Kuschel

William “Bill” W. Kuschel, age 83, of Livonia, Michigan passed away in Florida on January 9, 2017. He was born on January 5, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Gertrude Kuschel. Bill graduated from MacKenzie High School and remained active in alumni events and supported school fundraising through his later years. He was a cheerleader and ran track in high school. He attended Lawrence Tech and graduated with a degree in Pattern Making, which was his lifelong career. He worked for Progress Pattern and Lear Seigler and continued working beyond retirement age at T.E.I.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church all his adult life until moving to Florida after his first stroke. Always involved in the church, he met his wife Dixie Sauer at the Walther League, a Lutheran youth group. He also played softball on the church league when younger and took the family on both church and family camping trips and road trips across the eastern U.S. and throughout Michigan, building our love for the outdoors and adventure. We also spent many lovely holidays with his parents at their cabin on Au Sable Lake in northern Michigan. Bill and Dixie were active square dancers for many years.

Bill enjoyed his grandpets and loved all his children. In the final years he had many wonderful outings with each of us individually. Bill was a joy to everyone he met and who cared for him in Florida. Everyone loved him, his infectious happiness despite his limitations after the stroke, his silliness, joking, and playful teasing ways. He was also a big inspiration to other patients-who told us that very thing-because he worked tirelessly to make improvements in recovery and did so joyfully. And he made incredible improvements that even impressed his physical therapists.

Needless to say, Bill brought positive things to many people, especially after being badly affected by his stroke. He was kind, generous, and loving to everyone. May he rest in peace.

William was preceded in death by his former wife Dixie Kuschel, and his brothers Ken and Richard Kuschel. He is the loving father of Mark, (Barbara Noel) Kuschel, Holly (Jeff Gibson) Delaney, and Diane (Steve Tennant) Kuschel. William is the dear brother of Delores Kolle, Alice (Bob) Brendel. Family will receive friends on Sunday January 15, 2017, from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at Harry J. Will Funeral Home 37000 Six Mile Road Livonia, Michigan 48152. William will lie in-state on Monday January 16, 2016, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, beginning at 1:00 pm, until time of Service at 2:00 pm, at 30650 W 6 Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152. Memorial appreciated to Detroit Youth and Dog Rescue 2601 Michigan Ave. Detroit, Michigan and the American Heart Association.