William “Bill” Robert Gould, age 92 of Novi, MI, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Bill was born in Exeter, Ontario, Canada, on June 9, 1933. He moved to Detroit, MI, with his mother, Lois Meehan, at age 13 and graduated from Cass Technical High School. Bill served two years in the Army beginning in 1953, then spent six years at Ford Motor Company as a draftsman. The remaining 25 years of his career were spent as a designer at General Motors.

Bill met Joan Glass at a church youth group meeting in Detroit at age 16. He knew instantly—and with great certainty—he’d marry her someday. He was correct, and the pair were married in 1953. Bill and Joan raised their three children in Lathrup Village, MI. Upon their retirement, they split their time between their home on Lake Wanteska in Connestee Falls (Brevard, NC) and the Glass family’s generational home on Harsens Island, MI, affectionately called “The Cottage.” In Brevard, Bill and Joan enjoyed an active lifestyle featuring regular hiking trips, canoeing, and involved roles in their church. On Harsens Island, they enjoyed boating, entertaining family, friends, and fellow islanders, and relaxing by the water. Bill took great pride in meticulously caring for The Cottage, completing many home improvement projects in his boathouse workshop. His dream was to leave the home in excellent shape so he could someday pass it down to the next generation of his family. Bill and Joan eventually sold their Brevard home and moved to the Fox Run Senior Living Community in Novi, MI. Bill and Joan were married for 56 happy years until Joan passed away in 2009.

Bill met Barbara “Barb” Fisher at Fox Run, and he knew—again, immediately and with great certainty—he’d found his next love. Bill and Barb married in 2011 and spent the remaining 15 years of Bill’s life together. They loved to travel, visiting renowned sites around the world, and especially enjoyed sharing stories and photos of their adventures with their families. They always kept the dance floor lively and were enthusiastic patrons of the arts in Detroit, attending many symphony and live theatre performances. Bill and Barb adored their community at Fox Run, developing close, deep relationships with other residents and staff members.

Bill was outgoing, friendly, joyful, kind, and full of life. He loved to dance and sing, whether on the dance floor, in the choir, or anywhere he could find someone who would join him. Described by others as a true gentleman and a friend to all, he made people laugh and built them up through his encouragement and enthusiasm. He loved his family dearly, and he truly brought joy to all who were around him. He was deeply passionate about ensuring that each of his family members would have the opportunity to better themselves through education—a dream that came to fruition for all his children and grandchildren thanks to his generosity and guidance.

Bill was baptized in 2006 and put his faith in Jesus Christ. He will be greatly missed, but his family rejoices that he is now in Heaven, where there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more sorrow.

Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Joan, and his daughter-in-law, Karen Gould. He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Fisher; his three children, Mary Bunge (Luke), Kathryn Leeper (Kirby), and Mark Gould (Betsy); his six grandchildren, Emily Howell (Steven), Samuel Bunge (Lauren), Zachary Gould (Caitlyn), Lindsay Gould (Erick), Anna Stiles (Emmett), and Ryan Leeper (Payton); and his seven great grandchildren: Lizzy and Alex, Vivian, Nora, and Molly, Everly, and Poppy.

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 AM at The Belmont Clubhouse, Fox Run Senior Living Community, 41200 W 13 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48377.