Cover photo for William F. "Bill" Norris's Obituary
William F. "Bill" Norris Profile Photo
1945 Bill 2024

William F. "Bill" Norris

April 14, 1945 — August 8, 2024

Dowling

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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.


Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

6:00 - 7:30 pm (Eastern time)

Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care

105 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017

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Parish Rosary

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Starts at 7:30 pm (Eastern time)

Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care

105 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017

Get Directions

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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