Dr. William "Doc" Barr went to his next journey surrounded by his loving family and friends on July 1, 2022. Doc was born February 24, 1928, in Yale, Michigan to the late William and Sarah (Johnson)
Doc graduated from Yale High School in 1946. Went into the Army, serving in both WWII and the Korean Conflict, then attended Michigan State Normal (Eastern Michigan University), University of Michigan and Wayne State University where he earned his doctorate in Education in 1972. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools of Kimball Unit School District, the Port Huron Area School District and the Highland Park School District. Doc joined the Novi Community School District as Assistant Superintendent in 1972 then Associate Superintendent and retired as Superintendent in 1992.
Doc is the beloved husband of Patti for 36 years, dear father of Cynthia (Nick) Allers, David (Lisa), Heather (Brian) Losee, Bill. and Timothy. He is the proud grandfather of Jason, Jillian, Brett, Brock, Ryan, Jackson, and Jessica, Great grandfather of Jason Jr., Dylan, Makayla and Breanna, and Great, Great grandfather of Jackson, Jacob and Quinn. Brother-in-law Charles "Chip" (Valerie) Petersen and Brother-in-law David (Lisa) Petersen. He was predeceased by his siblings Francis (Dale) Ball, Elsie (Winston) Widdows, Helen (Ernie) Spicer, Doris (Andy) Pochodylo and Steve (Betty), Jean and Jimmy. He is also Predeceased by Father and Mother-in-law Arthur and Noreen Petersen Predeceased by Michael (Sharon) Petersen. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Doc has been a member of Lions Clubs International since he joined the Sparling Lions Club in 1957. Transferring to the Highland Park Lions Club then in May of 1973, formed and transferred to the Novi Lions Club. Doc served in many leadership positions in the clubs and District including President, Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer and District Governor. Doc was inducted into the Michigan Lions Hall of Fame in 2015. He has received numerous leadership awards and served on numerous board of directors. Doc's heart was with Eversight where he spent over 18 years on their board. Eversight created a William Doc Barr Knights of Vision Fellowship. A donation to Eversight in the amount of $1000 awarded you this Fellowship. Doc was an avid reader, he enjoyed computers and with Patti's guidance became a devoted golfer. Doc's philosophy was "you've gotta have fun" and brought humor and laughs to those he knew.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Sunday July 24 at the O'Brien Sullivan Funeral Home from 3-7pm with a Celebration of Life at 5:30pm. Interment with military honors will be at Great Lake National Cemetery on July 25 at 9:00am. Donations in memory of Doc can be made to Eversight, Attn: Philanthropy, 3985 Research Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or through the website
www.eversightvision.org
.