- Date Of Birth: July 2, 1937
- Date Of Death: September 9, 2016
- State: Michigan
Bill, age 79, went to be with his Lord on Friday evening, Sept. 9, 2016 in Kalamazoo after complications from a previous stroke. Born on July 2, 1937 in Kalamazoo, the son of James and Nina (Upson) Fletcher, Bill grew up in Kalamazoo’s North Side. He graduated from Portage High School where he excelled in track, basketball and baseball, earning him an invitation to a Detroit Tigers tryout.
Bill also earned state Golden Gloves champ after coaching by his dad Jim and three brothers. At PHS he met his lifelong sweetheart Jackie Miller; they were married on June 25, 1960 and spent their lives growing their family in Portage. Bill was a medic in the Army Reserves prior to an honorable discharge to help his dad with medical issues. He later spent 33 years with the Upjohn Co. Through the years Bill excelled on local slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball teams, playing with buddies and nephews. He and Jackie traveled the U.S., treated the family to many stellar vacations, and spent fond winters with friends in Sarasota, Fla.
Following Bill’s stroke in 2014, he charmed staff and patients at Upjohn Community Care Center, a group of deeply kind people. Surviving are his wife of 56 years Jackie; two children: Mike (Anita) Fletcher and Michelle (Gerard) Miron; eight grandchildren: Ashley, Chris, Chloe, Nick, Glen, Marley, MacKenzie and Brynn; brother: James Fletcher; sisters-in-law: Marilynn Justice and Irene Fletcher; several other beloved in-laws and many well-loved nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his siblings: Bob, Dick and Marilyn and many other loved ones who no doubt received him with joy in heaven.
Bill was a gentle-hearted, gentlemanly, deeply generous husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, brother and friend who loved God and his family. His fun and generous spirit will be missed by multitudes. Rock on, Bill Fletcher!
