Obituary for William M. "Bill" Wilson
William Michael “Bill” Wilson, 79 of Swansea, MA, and formerly of Troy, Michigan, passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of George Thomas Wilson and Helen Ernestine Mullen, Bill was a graduate of St. Mary of the Mount High School, where he was an altar boy, and where he met his wife of 56 years, Patricia Ann Slogan (1940-2017). After graduating from floral school, Bill began his career in 1959 at Eljer Plumbingware and later as the Head of Internal Sales At Papercraft. He learned to cook while serving as Accounting Supervisor at the Sheraton South Hotel in Pittsburgh. He asked the hotel chef to teach him how, which developed into a lifelong passion for food. He served as General Manager for Sheraton Hotels in St. Clairesville, Ohio, Pontiac, Michigan, Syracuse, New York, and throughout Pittsburgh, quickly becoming known as a trouble shooter and problem solver. After four years as General Manager at the Rolling Hills Country Club in McMurray, PA, he inaugurated the restaurant Merricks in the American Motors building in Southfield, Michigan, quickly establishing it as one of Detroit’s quality dining establishments. At Interstate United Corporation, he provided food service for the Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge Complex, one of the largest factories in the world. His longest position was as General Manager of the Buhl Building restaurants, in Detroit, including the Buhl Bar and the Savoyard Club, founded in 1928 as a private eating club for the city’s movers and shakers on the 28th floor. He retired in charge of Meadowbrook Hall, the Dodge automotive family mansion and event center in Rochester, Michigan. Throughout his working career he established leftover food programs for the homeless, reading lessons for the employees, and even a temporary home for the theatre less Odd Chair Playhouse.
He is survived by his son, William Michael Wilson, Jr. (Randy Stowell) of Providence, RI, his daughters Holly Ellen Wilson (Linda Landry Wilson) of Lynchburg, VA, Amy Kathleen of Detroit, MI. Five grandchildren; Parker, Amanda, Liam, Elizabeth and Katherine. One brother, Robert Emmett Wilson (Lois) of Cincinnati and one sister, Mary Eileen Wilson of Pittsburgh, two siblings, George and Helen, having gone before him.
The funeral will be held Friday at 9 AM from Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home 230 Waterman Street, Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian Church, Cole Avenue, Providence At 10 AM. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery. Calling hours Thursday from 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ouur Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue. Scranton, PA 18509 In honor of his beloved Sister Helen (Sr. Regina Maria, IHM) and the IHM sisters who cared for her. Condolences may be left at monahandrabblesherman.com
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He is survived by his son, William Michael Wilson, Jr. (Randy Stowell) of Providence, RI, his daughters Holly Ellen Wilson (Linda Landry Wilson) of Lynchburg, VA, Amy Kathleen of Detroit, MI. Five grandchildren; Parker, Amanda, Liam, Elizabeth and Katherine. One brother, Robert Emmett Wilson (Lois) of Cincinnati and one sister, Mary Eileen Wilson of Pittsburgh, two siblings, George and Helen, having gone before him.
The funeral will be held Friday at 9 AM from Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home 230 Waterman Street, Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian Church, Cole Avenue, Providence At 10 AM. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery. Calling hours Thursday from 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ouur Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue. Scranton, PA 18509 In honor of his beloved Sister Helen (Sr. Regina Maria, IHM) and the IHM sisters who cared for her. Condolences may be left at monahandrabblesherman.com
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