William “Bill” Richard Phipps passed away on June 17, 2024 at the age of 84 at his home in Flushing, Michigan. 

Bill was born in 1940 to Thomas and Martha Phipps in Flint Michigan.  Following the death of his father, his mother married George Suschick.  He had four siblings: Phyllis, Tom, Jim, and John.  He graduated from Kearsley High School after an illustrious athletic career, lettering in four sports:  baseball, basketball, football, and track.  In 2019, his 1957 varsity boys basketball team was inducted into the Kearsley Hall of Fame.  After graduation, he joined the Marines, a pivotal time in his life and something he would be proud of for the rest of his life.  He spent his time in the service in California and which is where his firstborn, Bill, was born.  After moving back to Michigan, he met and married Janice (Jajey) in 1966.  They had two daughters, Lisa and Tina.  For most of his professional career, he worked for Stewart Sandwiches, starting out as a route driver to eventually owning his own franchise.  He retired after 30+ years and then took on a job working at the Berridge Hotel in downtown Flint and eventually ending with driving transport for a local assisted living facility.  He would say he was driving a bunch of old people around, never mind he was older than most of them.  

He was an avid sports fan, rooting year after year for the Tigers and Lions and throwing more than one shoe at the tv over those years.  Last year, he said he was happy to have made it long enough to see the Lions make the playoffs again, a sentiment shared by many.  He supported all of his kids in their athletic endeavors, and we always knew when he was there – he had a booming voice that could rise above the din.  During retirement, he helped coach a girls basketball team with his friend, Barry.  He was grateful he had daughters so he knew what he was getting himself into, but he loved every minute of it.  

Bill knew no strangers and made people laugh wherever he went.  He would have given his shirt off his back to a person in need.  He was the favorite uncle and grandpa.  He was funny, occasionally inappropriate, and always there for the people he cared about.  He had so many stories and just when you thought you had heard them all, he would have one more.  

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, step-father George, his sister Phyllis (Hautala), his brother John, and his best friend Bud Kozma.  

He is survived by his wife, Jan; son, Bill (Lisa), daughters Lisa (Roby Lane) and Tina; his brothers (who he talked to everyday without fail) Tom (Karen) and Jim (Debbie); his grandchildren Luke, Kayla, Kelsey, and Kilei; great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  We would like to thank his sister-in-law Darlene, brother-in-law Joe, and his friends Fran, Dennis, and Margo for all of their help over these past few years.  We also want to thank Melony, Marie, and Wendy with Mid-Michigan Home Health and Hospice.  We appreciate them.  

Bill did not want any services but if you are inclined to honor his memory, drink a Diet Pepsi, eat a McDonalds cheeseburger, support your local humane society, or do something that helps give a kid a leg up.

He was loved and he will be sorely missed.     

Bill’s obituary was written by his loving family.