William "Bill" Dallas

William “Bill” Dallas was born in North Carolina and moved to Detroit with his mother at a young age. He spent his summers on his grandmother’s farm in the south with his aunts and uncle making mischief and memories. He proudly served in Vietnam as a cook in the Navy on a destroyer and after his return he met and married Dora, his wife of nearly 50 years. They had two daughters and lived in Livonia most of their married life until they moved to the west side of Michigan to live in nature close to the lake and their grandchildren. Bill was a loving a devoted husband, father, Papou and friend.

Bill enjoyed life to the fullest, spending breakfasts at nearby Coney Islands, grabbing coffee at the gas station or donut shop, sharing a beverage and conversation on his porch with his neighbors, friends and family, hanging out in his neighbor’s garage working on cars, spending quality time with his grandkids or watching them play sports, going to Tigers’ games, watching the Lions and Spartans, attending family celebrations, watching the sun set and walking the beach, going on cruises with Dora, enjoying one of their favorite dinner spots together or having a drink at the legion watching the ships pass by.

Bill was a “swim dad” before there were soccer moms. He spent many hours driving his daughters to practice and swim meets, watching them compete and cheering them on while also volunteering as a starter or timer to help run the meets. He took his daughters on dates on Fridays after school to have a Sanders Sunday or go to Big Boy for strawberry pie or a hot fudge brownie ice cream cake.

Bill was a hard worker, his first job was a newspaper delivery boy from his bicycle and he had two routes. He retired from Lucent Technologies after working for the phone companies for 38 years. Upon retirement, he continued to work for car dealerships and enjoyed taking long drives for dealer trades and meeting new people.

Bill was creative and innovative. He was always trying to figure out how to fix something to keep it running or make it better. He thought outside of the box and could tie a knot to keep anything in place. If he couldn’t figure something out, he would find someone who could. He never gave up and was always on to the next thing to fix right away.

Bill was also a leader. He served as a CWA Union representative. He was president of the Newburgh Swim Club Board of Directors helping to beautify the grounds and make things more efficient. He also served as president of the Clarenceville Swim Club always trying to figure out how to make more money for the club at the concessions during meets.

His commitment and love for his family and friends will always admired and remembered. Bill was a true and devoted friend who was helpful, said it like it was and if you “had words” he was often the first to apologize and move on.

Bill is now with his aunts, his mother, his mother in law, his brother in laws and some of his best friends as well as a few pets he loved so dearly. He lives on in the hearts of his wife Dora, his daughters Helene and Heather, his son in law Steve, and his grandchildren Spencer, William, Adam and Mara, as well as many other family and friends and all of those he touched along the way with his bright eyes and big smile, warm hugs or a firm handshake.

A visitation for Bill will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 36375 Joy Rd, Westland, MI, featuring a prayer service at 7:00 PM. An in state will occur Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 9:30 AM, 36375 Joy Rd, Westland, MI, followed by a funeral beginning at 10:30 AM. A luncheon will follow which will also be at the church.