William John Hughes, Sr.

William John Hughes, Sr., 91, of East Jordan, died Monday, August 24, 2020, in Traverse City.

 He was born on December 28, 1928, in River Rouge, Michigan, the son of Howard and Rose (Dube) Hughes.  

 At the age of 16, he swam out and climbed a rope onto a commercial vessel on the Great Lakes, starting his experience as a merchant marine.  During World War II, he served in the Michigan State Guard and United States Navy.

 In 1966, he married Patsy Dyer in Troy, Michigan.  

 William was a man of many talents.  In his life, he had drove bus for school, church and a transit authority.  He had worked at the East Jordan Iron Works as well as a commercial painter.  He enjoyed the great outdoors and horses.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

 William is survived by three children, Mary (Will) Patton of East Jordan. William J. Hughes, Jr. of Boyne Falls and Denise (Wendell) Powell of Warren; six grandchildren, Amanda Lackie of Cadillac, Rosemary (Chris) Amman of Elmira, Jaymz Hughes of North Carolina, Aaron Hughes of North Carolina, Jamie Powell of Warren and Wendell Powell of Warren; six great grandchildren, Ethan, Connor, Emma, Alex, Zander and Charlie; and six step children, Robert (Joy) Williams of Caro, Lee (Debi) Williams of Caro, Craig Williams of Johannesburg, Timothy Williams of Detroit, Cheryl (Dave) Touchton of Madison Heights and Patsy (Mike) Simons of Grand Rapids.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Hughes; parents, Howard and Rose (Dube) Hughes; son, James Newville; step daughter, Carol Reasoner; and two siblings, Lauren Hughes and Joyce Balduck, and great grandson Wendell Powell III.

 Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. at the Lighthouse Missionary Church, East Jordan.  Rev. Bart Adams will officiate.  

 The family will receive friends on Friday at church from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M.  Arrangements were handled by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan.

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