Robert John Williams
April 25, 1945 – October 1, 2023
Robert John “Bob” Williams passed away on October 1, 2023. It should surprise no one who knew Bob that he passed so soon after his wife, Shirley. She was his best friend and he was lost without her.
Bob was born on April 25, 1945 to Olive & Ray Williams in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He grew up in Hulbert, MI where his family owned Williams’ Grocery Store. Bob graduated from Newberry High School in 1963.
Bob met the love of his life, Shirley Mitchell, in Newberry and they married in 1967. They had two children, Karissa of Redford, MI and Lon (Laura) of Dearborn, MI.
Bob learned to be a butcher growing up in the family business, and continued in this line of work until his father-in-law convinced him to enter the building trades. Bob joined Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 in 1969 and remained a loyal member the rest of his life. In 1986, Bob began his second career with the Sprinkler Fitters as the coordinator for the apprenticeship program. Hundreds of young people went through Bob’s classes and secured places in the trade. He was always proud of the work he did with apprentices and truly relished their accomplishments. He made life-long friends through 704, including the guy everyone assumed was his brother, Chuck Williams.
Bob was a well-known storyteller and jokester. Nothing pleased him more than making people laugh. When he discovered Facebook, he found an outlet for many of his stories that he called “Chickles.” He loved to regale his readers with stories about growing up in Hulbert (just 37 miles from Paradise), especially the shenanigans he and Wally “Punky” Planck got up to. Bob and Wally are once again together and no doubt, the laughs in Heaven just got a lot better! Bob loved his hometown, and his epitaph will read: “You can take the boy out of Hulbert, but you can’t take Hulbert out of the boy.”
Bob also enjoyed hunting. Whether it was deer hunting with his beloved Shirley and the Mitchells/McCutcheons, Grouse Camp with pals Jerry Marsden and Bill Lee, bird hunting with Lon and his friends and their beloved pups, or just driving around with Karissa looking for ruffed grouse in trees (but never shooting them), Bob had an incredible eye and a steady hand. He loved to share his knowledge with others, and learning to hunt at Bob’s side was truly an honor for all who had the privilege.
When it comes to big hearts, Bob’s was bigger than most. He loved deeply and made friends easily. He, like several others in the Williams family, had what’s been dubbed The Pheromone …babies, dogs, and old people were drawn to, and fascinated by, Bob…and he by them. He adored his family, but his two favorite people on earth were his grandchildren Mitchell and Erin. Bob always laughed at the idiom, “grandchildren are our reward for not killing our own kids” and he discovered that it was the absolute truth when his own grandkids came along. He’d rock them to sleep singing Johnny Cash, make them laugh with cringey jokes, cook them whatever they wanted to eat, and was known to slip them a few bucks or some junk food now and then.
Bob is survived by his children and grandchildren, his wonderful sister Ardie Pangburn, brother-in-law Dale Mitchell, dear friends Carol & Bert Rakotz, and Phil Honeywell, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Shirley; his parents; his infant brother, Lon; his sister Amber and brother-in-law Kenneth “Bud” Bailey; nephews Kenneth Bailey, Jr., Tim Bowman, and Michael Timmerman; nieces Deanna and Dawn Tjessem; and, his treasured parents-in-law Ebba & Bob Mitchell.
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place on Thursday, November 2 in Southfield, MI. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bob’s favorite charity, The Alcona Humane Society, c/o Tom Schaefer 4036 N. Chipmunk Trl., Lincoln, MI 48742.
Janet Faye King
January 17, 1941 – October 29, 2023
Janet Faye (Beckman) King, 82, of Romulus and Naubinway, passed away Sunday morning, October 29, 2023 at Optalis Health and Rehab in Canton, Michigan.
Born January 17, 1941 in Naubinway, daughter of the late Kenneth and Emma (Davenport) Beckman, Janet was a 1959 graduate of Engadine High School and later received her Licensed Practical Nurse certification from Northern Michigan University.
On January 5, 1963, Janet married Wayne “Teto” King and were blessed with a daughter, Tammy, in 1968.
Janet was formerly employed as a LPN at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital and, in 1968, moved to the Romulus area where her husband gained employment in Dearborn. Janet was a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Janet loved coming home to Naubinway, especially in the fall, when her and her sister, Karen Frazier, would dress up for Halloween parties at The Cove or V.F.W. dances. Together, they loved to act up, have fun and were dancing partners for many years.
Janet was a loving wife, mother, aunt to many, sister and friend to everyone who knew her. She will be sadly missed by everyone.
In addition to her parents, Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Kenny and Emma, father and mother-in-law Greg and Agnes King; brother and sister-in-law’s Harvey (Patsy) King, Timmer (Janis) King, Fern (Chuck) Paulson, Tony King and Don Frazier; nephew Richard King; nieces Charlotte Nikunen and Cheryl Livermore.
Survivors include her loving husband, Teto, of Romulus; daughter Tammy King and her companion Gary; sister Karen Frazier of Naubinway; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who loved her.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Fr. Jacek Wtyklo officiating. Rite of Committal will take place at the Naubinway Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
