William Harry Venettis

William Harry (Bill) Venettis, age 79, died peacefully at St. John Hospital in Detroit on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Bill was born March 6, 1932 in Detroit, the son of Harry and Andrea Venettis. Bill grew up in Detroit and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1951. He served his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 attaining the rank of corporal. When he returned home, Bill began working with his father in his various businesses which included the Lakeview Bar and Biff's Restaurant on Jefferson in Detroit. Bill was also a partner in The Atwater Bar in Detroit. He later worked for his brother-in-law, Leo Kalyvas, at Union Music in Harper Woods. Throughout his lifetime he was involved in the food industry. Bill was a long time salesman for Atlas Wholesale Foods in Detroit. He retired in 2005. In 1955 Mr. Venettis married Alexandra Kotsis at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Detroit. Alexandra died in 1993 and Bill later married Sylvia Barnes in November of 2000. He was a longtime resident of Warren. Bill was a friendly, outgoing man who loved his family and friends. He enjoyed his cup of coffee and chatting with friends. Bill liked to socialize with people, enjoyed music and was very proud of his Greek heritage. Mr. Venettis enjoyed golf and was a member of the Gowanie Golf Club in Mt. Clemens. He was a long time member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, was formerly a member of the Detroit Police Reserves during the 1960's and during the Detroit riots of 1967. He was an assistant hockey coach for the Warren Hockey Association when his sons were active in hockey. Mr. Venettis is survived by his wife Sylvia and his four children; Mary Penz (Jim), George Venettis (Michele), Mark Venettis (Rena) and Dorothea Daskas (Michael). He was the proud grandfather of Alexandra, James, Kristina, Andrew, Michael, Andrea, Elena, Maria and Katherine; and the brother of Alice Kalyvas (Leo) and the late Peter Venettis (Angeline). Bill was the Godfather of Father Nick Kotsis. He will be missed by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mr. Venettis will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. Trisagion prayers will begin at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening. On Monday, Mr. Venettis will lie instate at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service begins at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Michael Varlamos will officiate. Interment will be at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Clinton Township with Army military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions be made to either the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road; St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 or St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Road; Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236