William F. "Bill" Norris

William “Bill” Fredrick Norris, 79, of Dowling, Michigan passed on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at Woodlawn Meadows Memory Care in Hastings.

Bill was born April 14, 1945 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the first of four sons born to William and Iola (Stone) Norris. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, following graduation from Battle Creek Central High School in 1963, serving at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in the North Atlantic. Bill married Nancy Ann Ehrlich at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Battle Creek in 1966. 

Bill was mechanically gifted, having earned a Journeyman’s Card in both machine repair and millwrighting. He spent his working life at Eaton’s, Post Cereals, Kellogg's and retired from Ralston’s in 2010, working both as a skilled tradesman and supervisor over the course of his career. Bill also farmed part-time during this time. Bill served on the Barry County Animal Shelter Advisory Board and the finance board for Our Lady of Great Oak Church in Lacey. 

Bill was a voracious reader and enjoyed woodworking, having made a walnut baby cradle for each daughter’s first child. He loved antique cars, trucks and tractors, history and genealogy, working outside, and cuddling the many dogs he had over the years. 

Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy (Ehrlich) Norris,his four daughters: Janet (Michael) Steeby of Hastings, Joan (Shane) Miller of Battle Creek, Jennifer (Stephen) Hayes of Hastings, and Julianne (Michael) LaBerteaux of Battle Creek,nine grandchildren, and one great granddaughter, as well as brother, Paul Norris of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Rayford and Larry, and close friend, Johnny (Jake) Collier.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where the Parish Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the Our Lady of Great Oak Catholic Church 6574 Lacey Rd. Bellevue, MI 49021.  Interment will follow at Union Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Barry County Animal Shelter 540 N Industrial Park Dr. Hastings, MI 49058 or the Our Lady of Great Oak Catholic Church.  Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.