William D "Bill" Sweeney Sr.

William “Bill” Sweeney, 93, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

Bill was born on August 2, 1928 in Riley Twp., Michigan to the late Leo and Pearl (Hildebrand) Sweeney. He attended the local district school located on his family’s farm known as the Sweeney School and later Capac High School.

After high school he began working at Mueller Brass, a job he would continue for 47 years. He also served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in both France and Germany where he operated heavy equipment and was instrumental in the rebuilding of roads and bridges after World War II.

He married Mary Ellen Cameron on June 26, 1954 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Emmett, his cousin the late Rev. John Sweeney officiated. Their marriage was just two weeks short of 68 years at the time of his passing. Bill and Mary Ellen lived together in Port Huron Township where they raised their 6 children.

Serving others was the foundation to Bill’s life. We remember his work in clearing the land for the present Port Huron Twp. RV Park, the Port Huron Twp. Roger Hyatt Little League Park, managing and coaching baseball teams for his nephews and later his own children. He also served on the Port Huron Twp. Park Commission for many years.

He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Parish. He served on various Parish Commissions for over 35 years, was a Eucharistic Minister, a funeral acolyte, a devoted member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and he served at Mid-City Nutrition up until the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bill enjoyed gardening and always grew the vegetables that fed their family through the years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and hunting with his brothers, and camping with his family in which they traveled all through Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and out west to Yellowstone National Park.

He will be remembered as a man who loved deeply and served his God, his family, his country and community.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen of 68 years; daughters, Mary Jean (Larry) Jackson, Teresa Sweeney, Joanna (Jack) Durnbaugh; sons, William Jr. (Kelly) and Matthew (Laura) Sweeney; son-in-law Mike Clem, Sr.; grandchildren, Eve (Tonilyn) Jackson, Shannon Jackson, Elena, Julia Durnbaugh, Vanessa, Sydney, Benjamin Sweeney; step-grandson, Michael Clem II; great-granddaughters, Lillian and Violet Hilliker; dear neighbors, Steve and Sue Dresser, Mark and Rita Prochazka; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara; his parents; siblings and their spouses, Lawrence (Margaret), Alex (Eleanor), Joseph (Joan), Mary Ann (Patrick) Quain; and sisters-in-law, Margaret (Bernard) Metsker and Jean Cameron.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with a Rosary recited at 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Holy Trinity Parish St. Stephen Catholic Church with visitation at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Joseph Gagnon will officiate, assisted by Deacon Dennis Crimmins and Deacon John Connors.

Burial will be in Kenockee Cemetery, Emmett, Michigan. Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Mid City Nutrition or Holy Trinity Parish. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com