William Frederick Middleton

MIDDLETON, William Frederick
Of Kalamazoo Passed away suddenly February 17, 2013 at Borgess gardens. Born in Glennie, MI December 14, 1923 to the late Bernard and Della Garrett Middleton. He graduated from Oscoda High school in 1943. He was a proud baseball golden glove player. As a young boy his playground was the North Woods of Alcona Co., where he learned his hunting skills and wildlife wonders. He loved to join in each firearm deer season, harvesting many deer in his lifetime. Many friends and neighbors became recipients of his harvests, whom otherwise would gone without. One of his first jobs other than working on local farms in Glennie was pumping gas at the Mobil Station for Bill Hall. In 1948 he was employed at Ferry Morris Seed Co. in Detroit, in 1950 he was with Dutch Treat Bakery in Kalamazoo, 1951 with Peter Eckrich and Sons Meat Co and met his life partner there - Elizabeth Obert. He became a truck driver for Eckrich, receiving many years of safe driver awards. In 1954 he married Elizabeth Obert. In 1969 he became a maintenance man for Wings Stadium. In 1971 he was a driver for Bender Lounden, Central Freight and Holland Motors. And for many years, he was a handy man and did lawn service. He retired in 1988. William's sense of humor and witty personality landed him many friends, always a joke with a smile. He could fix anything and was always happy to help out a neighbor, family member or friend. He had impeccable carpentry skills and used those skills to build many homes in the Glennie area where he was born and raised. He took great pride and long hours of renovation of his cabin in Glennie, with help from his good friends and neighbors, so that it was comfortable for mom to stay, where together they enjoyed times of watching the deer and listening to the frogs. He left his trademark on so many things. He loved to play cards with family and friends, especially with family and uno and skip-o were his favorites. He will be remembered with laughter and tears. He was preceded in death by his dear wife Elizabeth whom he missed very much; sisters, Mary Armstrong, Hazel Trechea, Laura Simo; brothers, Braught, Jim and Bob Middleton; dear friends Rolf Hammer, Keith Federspill and Larry Johnson. William leaves behind his children, Lydia, Debbie Dan and Fred Alicia; granddaughters, Amanda and Ashley; nephews, Douglas Middleton and daughter Carrie and James Middleton; nieces, Betty Powers; sister-in-law, Gladys Jim Middleton and granddaughter, Sherry Kohl; brother-in-law, Henry Obert and George Middleton; and other family members here and abroad. We would like to thank close friends and neighbors, JoAnn Johnson, Mary Franke, Max and Cheryl Bradley, Pat and Mark Jenson and Mark Norris and family for being the most wonderful people anyone would hope to know.