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Obituary
William Edward Schwartz, 83 years old, was born May 4, 1941, at home in Detroit, Michigan, and passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, at Henry Ford Hospital - Detroit, after several years struggle with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, dementia and liver disease.
Bill graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1959, and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served from 1959 to 1963, serving 3 years at sea, as a Radio Operator with Commander Amphibious Group Three. He continued service with the U.S. Naval Reserve until1965.
Bill married Rosemary (Kowalski) in September 1964 and gave birth to their daughter, Justine Mary, in September 1966.
A few years after he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he landed a job for Wayne County Road Commission at Detroit Metro Airport in the powerhouse. He retired from WCRC-DTW in 1985 and was immediately employed by Mechanical Heat and Cold as a building maintenance and powerhouse supervisor at the Fairlane Office Center (aka Darth Vader building), in Dearborn, Michigan.
Bill met his wife Renee in early 1980; they were engaged on his birthday, May4th, 1981; and were happily married on April 24, 1982, at the "little white church" on Rotunda in Dearborn, then known as Greenfield Congregational Church.
Renee gave birth to their son, Justin William Schwartz, on August 5, 1985.
Billis survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Renee (Johnson) Schwartz. Loving father of daughter, Justine (Edward) Wilke of Plymouth, Michigan; and son, Justin Schwartz of Miami, Florida. Loving brother Charles (Paula) Schwartz of Howell, Michigan; father-in-law Frank Johnson of Dearborn, Michigan; sisters-in-law Christine (Kenneth) Williams of Flat Rock, Michigan; and Cheryl (Brian) Goyette of Kankee, Illinois; along with several nieces, nephews, and great nieces; and many other family, friends and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Schwartz of Mio, and Renee's mom, Judy Johnson.
One of his last days, he said to Renee, "Look, he's winking at me." When she asked who, he said, "the puppy, see him, he's winking at me." She asked if it was Dakota, and he said, "No, it's Joe. He wants to play." Bill has gone to play with Cujo, and also leaves behind his newest "buddy", Dakota.
Bill was also known as "Papa Bill" to Melisa (Jason) Sagovac, and their children, Madison, Emma, Eli, Willow and Ivan.
Bill was a Master Mason and member of Tyrian Lodge #500, Free and Accepted Masons, where he was Worshipful Master in 1981, and eventually transferred to Olive Branch Lodge #542 F&AM.
A Masonic Memorial and Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date and time.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
