William J. McCreery

William J. McCreery, of Bay City, passed away peacefully Sunday morning August 18, 2013 at McLaren Bay Region Hospital, age 68. The son of the late Irwin & Grace (Plueddemann) McCreery, he was born July 28, 1945 in Bay City. William served with U.S. Army in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. He was a member of Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church his whole life and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #414. William worked over 35 years for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #190 of Ann Arbor as a welder and pipefitter. His belief in God kept him strong to enjoy life and spending time with family and friends whom he loved. He always spent time with them, enjoying just everyday life and special events such as: biking, camping, canoeing, four wheeling, and loved spending time at his cabin enjoying the beauty of God's creation. William is survived by his seven children, Shannon (Rob) Gross, Kelly Sprague, Michael McCreery, Daniel McCreery, Sarah (Mike) Volker, Rebekah McCreery, and Laura McCreery; his brother, Clifford (Elaine) McCreery; nine grandchildren and a great-grandson. Besides his parents, William was also preceded in death by his sister, Ilene Miller. The Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, 1104 State St. The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Stephen J. Fillion followed by the Rite of Committal and Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. Private interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus Bible Presentation will begin at 6:45 p.m. followed by the Parish Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Mr. McCreery will lie instate at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bay County Right to Life. William touched many lives and will be missed by all. www.gephartfuneralhome.com