SEND FLOWERS

Obituary

WITHEY, Richard C., age 80, of Woodhaven, October 28, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Gayle Withey. Loving father of Shelley (John) Wettergren, Susan (Chris) Withey, and Stacy (Brian) McCandless. Dearest grandfather of Shelby, Skylar, Brittany, Jacqueline, Robert, Katherine, and Abigail. He is also survived by his furbaby Angie. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Mildred Withey, brothers Donn Withey and Robert Withey, and his loyal leader dogs Bubba, Willis, and Bradley. 

Richard was a Regional Sales Manager for the computer systems company Bendix Corporation before losing his sight in 1986. He served as a Councilman in 1973-79, and 1989 for the City of Woodhaven. He was a beacon of strength who fearlessly stood up against ignorance and prejudice against people with disabilities and in 1990 he made an indelible mark on the community as the first blind Mayor in Michigan for the City of Woodhaven. In 1996, he helped persuade the Natural Resources Commission to pass legislation that allowed blind people to use laser beam sights while hunting and was the first blind hunter to kill a deer under the new rules. He participated in the Lions Club of Woodhaven, Woodhaven Planning Commission, Woodhaven-Brownstown Rotary Club and the Jaycees. He was an active member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church and served on their council. Richard was a long-time member of the Trenton Masonic Temple Association where he rose in rank and became a Master Mason.  

Memorial Service is Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Grosse Ile, Michigan. Arrangements made at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home, (next to Michigan Memorial Park) 30895 Huron River Dr., Huron Twp., (734) 783-2646. His cremation will take place at “The Witness Crematory” located inside of Michigan Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind (Rochester Hills).