William J. Slachta

Apr. 22, 1924 – May 18, 2021

William “Bill” Slachta, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his Sarasota home at the age of 97. Bill was born on April 22, 1924 in Saginaw, Michigan to Joseph and Clara Slachta. He is also predeceased by his sisters Ruth, Marge and Clarice; and brothers Joey and Bob. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy NROTC program in 1942 and was a plank member of the destroyer escort U.S.S. Lovelace where he served on the crew as an Electrician’s Mate First Class. He saw action in the South Pacific in WWII during the battle of Manila and afterward was ordered stateside for officer’s training at Auburn University. He subsequently attended Purdue University before graduating from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Bill started a successful 36-year career with General Motors as an assembly line worker at the Oldsmobile assembly plant in Lansing, MI and quickly advanced to become one of the youngest assembly plant General Superintendents in the auto industry. Bill subsequently became a very successful Final Assembly Plant Manager for several plants in the U.S. and the U.K. During their time in the U.K., Bill and Ruth were honored with an invitation by the Queen to attend an Afternoon Party in the Garden of Buckingham Palace. Bill retired from General Motors as Final Assembly Plant Manager at the Leeds, MO Plant in 1985.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of over 71 years Ruth, born Ruthie Mae Johnson; his daughter Penny and husband, Jim, and sons Bill Jr. and girlfriend Carol; Mark and wife Vanessa; Terry and wife Kim; his grandchildren Ben, Billy, Jake, Stacy, Steven, Molly, Amber, Brett, Kyle and Paige; and his great grandchildren Elena, Sailor, KJ, Rhett and Kelsey.

During his 36 year retirement Bill and Ruth enjoyed time in Sarasota, FL, Windsor, CA and Mesa, AZ. Bill loved gardening, playing golf, having shot under his age while in his 70s, his dogs, raising chickens at Penny’s and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A private service with honor guard will be held on Tuesday, May 25 in Sarasota, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Tidewell Hospice whose gentle care provided Bill with comfort and ease during his final days.