William Francis Mankewicz, born on May 7, 1943, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024, at the age of 81. William was a man of boundless energy and a true lover of the outdoors, finding immense joy in spending time outside, whether working on his property, fishing, or hunting. His passion for old cars and the thrill of the dream cruise were well known among his friends and family.
William cherished his time at his cottage up north, where he could often be found relaxing by the river, enjoying the tranquility that nature offered. A dedicated handyman, he was always immersed in a project, continuously improving his home and surroundings. With an engineer's mind, William loved tackling various challenges, often encouraging his son, Tyler, to join him in these endeavors.
Beyond his many interests and accomplishments, William was a loving and caring man who would do anything for his family. Despite his quiet humility, his pride in being a devoted father and husband was evident in everything he did. William met his beloved wife, Deborah, through a mutual friend, and they shared 25 wonderful years together, before her passing in 2014. Their marriage was filled with shared passions, including attending concerts together, and along with Deborah's parents, traveling and visiting swap meets.
William was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and dedicated over 30 years of his career as an electrical engineer at AT&T. His legacy is one of love, hard work, and selflessness, traits that will be forever cherished by his family and friends. Preceded in death by his wife Deborah, William is survived by his son Tyler, who carries forward the values and spirit his father instilled in him.
A Visitation will be held at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home at 41555 Grand River Ave in Novi on Friday, August 23, 2024 from 12:00 pm until the Funeral Service begins at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in William's memory can be made to the
American Cancer Society
.