William Rogers Mangold

William (Bill) Rogers Mangold of Saline, Michigan passed away January 7, 2018 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the age of 86 after a hard fought battle with numerous health issues. He died peacefully surrounded by his beloved family.

He was born in Kansas City, Kansas on September 13, 1931. He grew up in California and graduated from Burbank High and continued on to Glendale College, Glendale, California where he earned his commercial pilot license and aviation mechanic certifications.

He married Olga Jean Pierce on September 22, 1959. They were married 58 years.

Bill served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He began his career in the aviation industry as a pilot for a mapping company, Fairchild Aerial Surveys. Then for a short time flew as a corporate pilot for Carroll Shelby, after which he became a sales representative for the Norman Larson Co., a Beechcraft distributor in Van Nuys, California. Finally he spent a 25 year career with Champion Spark Plug, Aviation Division as Marketing Manager for the Northeast U.S. and Canada region. This new venture brought him and his family to Michigan.

In 1975 he began drawing editorial cartoons. With the encouragement of Paul Tull, editor of the Saline Reporter his drawings were published in the weekly paper. Later they were published in many other newspapers in Michigan for a number of years. He also loved playing golf with friends and family.

After retirement he enjoyed several part time jobs including selling ads for the Saline Reporter, working as a Starter-Marshall at PGA National in Florida where he and Olga spent winters. During his summers he sold memberships and served as “Ambassador” for the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bill is survived by his wife Olga, daughters Kathryn, L. Mangold and Julianne M. (Bruce) Greene, son Mark W. (Janine) Mangold, grandson Zachary Mangold, granddaughters Chelsey (Richard) Jenkins, Kaitlan, Emmalie and Olivia Greene.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur “Red” and Catherine Mangold.

A memorial celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Saline, Michigan, date and time to follow.

The family would like to invite Florida friends to a service honoring Bill’s life Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the small chapel of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Delray Beach, 400 North Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.