William Tomczyk

William E Tomczyk

Born: July 30, 1929

Born into Eternal Life: February 22, 2020

“We are so blessed to have had him in our lives all these years”

Bill, age 90, was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 30, 1929 to William and Lucille Tomczyk. He was the ninth of ten children and the last survivor.

He attended Catholic and then the Detroit Public Schools. In November 1946, Bill left high school early to join the US Marine Corp. He spent his three years of service in China in what was the aftermath of World War II in the Japanese Theater.

Bill joined the Michigan State Police with his first assignment as a trooper in Manistee. There he saw, courted, and married the love of his life, Catherine Gutowski. They moved to different posts including East Lansing, Reed City, back to Lansing; and for his final assignment, Bill served as the Post Commander of the old Detroit - 7 Mile/ Grand River Ave Post which moved to Northville. Bill retired in 1986 after 36 years of service. Besides being a post commander, Bill especially enjoyed serving on Governor Soapy Williams’ security detail and running the State Police security detail at the Michigan State Fair for 13 years. Bill also served in the Northville Rotary Club including multiple terms as president. Bill was a founding member of the community Oaks Youth Recreation Program in Okemos that is still thriving today. One of his most joyful and yet humblest responsibilities was serving as a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister at St John Neumann Catholic Church.

Bill and Catherine were married for 67 loving and faith-filled years. After retirement they spent 12 years in Sun City West, AZ before returning to Michigan in order to more fully participate and enjoy the lives of their ever-growing family. Bill is survived by his wife, Catherine, who sorely misses her best friend. Their five children are Cindy (Paul) Charette of Lansing; Donna (Rich) Snyder of Muskegon; Debbie (Rick) Kennedy of Canton; Mark (Tara) Tomczyk of Dallas, GA; and Lisa (Greg) Borchanian of Northville.

Their grandchildren include: Michael (Jennifer) Charette of Lansing; Kathryn (Trenton) Spencer of Aurora, IL; Emily (Maj. Michael) Phillipich of Colorado Springs,CO; Peter (Emily Grabinski) Charette of Lexington, KY; Matthew (Erica) Snyder of Nunica; Meagan (Steven) Whittle of Grand Rapids; Nathaniel (Colby) Snyder of Grand Rapids; Connor Kennedy of Scottsdale, AZ; Brianna Kennedy of Kailua, HI; Kyle Tomczyk, McKenna Tomczyk, and Ryan Tomczyk all of Dallas, GA; Jenna Borchanian, Jack Borchanian, and Ben Borchanian all of Northville.

Great-grandchildren include: Addison, Gabriella, and William Charette of Lansing; Claire, Lauryn, Austin, Hannah and Audrey Phillipich of Colorado Springs; Wesley Spencer of Aurora, Il; Cole, Brennan, Nolan, and Evelyn Snyder of Nunica; and Edmund and Maxwell Whittle of Grand Rapids. Bill was preceded in death by grand-daughter Natalie Borchanian and great grand-daughter Amelia Whittle.

The family also acknowledges the loving support of care-giver Lilliana Curran Raimer and Angela Hospice Care.

The Funeral Mass is Saturday, February 29 at 11am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 44800 Warren Rd, Canton 48187. The family will receive guests one hour before the mass. The celebrant is Fr Paul Ballien. A luncheon will follow immediately in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged for Wayne County Meals on Wheels, 3600 Commerce Court, Building E, Wayne MI 48184; or Angela Hospice Home Care, 14100 Newburgh Rd, Livonia MI 48150.

The family is being served by the Turowski Family Funeral Home in Canton.