William G. Drake Jr.

William “Bill” G. Drake Jr. of Haslett, MI, passed away on March 22nd, 2025. Born in Cheboygan MI, to William(Sr) and Marcella(Jones) on August 3rd, 1945, Bill attended the Catholic Schools system, where he was the captain of the football team. After leaving Cheboygan in 1963, he attended MI Tech until 1965 when he transferred to Michigan State and majored in Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Mgt. He worked nearly full-time in the dorms while in school and began as a full-time Supervisor upon graduation. Bill was drafted 89 days later and was inducted into the Army in early 1968. After basic training in Kentucky and then medical training in Texas, he was sent to Viet Nam as a senior combat medic for over a year. Upon returning to "The World" in early 1970, he had a guaranteed job at MSU, and went on to run a large share of the Residence Hall system for 35 years. He met "Sandy", his wife of 53-plus years, on campus in 1970 and were married the following year, (and people shake their heads at the fact they have never had an argument in all those years.)

Bill and Sandy started their family with a son, WGD III("The Gipper") in 1972 and Kimberly Ann("Meemer") in 1976. Both Bill and Sandy are cancer survivors, with her surviving kidney cancer 10 years ago, and Bill dodging prostate cancer the same year and colon cancer in 2024. His exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam led to a prostate condition, as well as 3-way bypass open heart surgery and below-the-knee loss of his left leg.

Bill and Sandy both believe part of a full life involves both 'giving back' and 'paying it forward', as Bill had been a volunteer (unpaid) Santa Claus for 54 years, beginning when he was junior at MSU! Bill and Sandy both enjoyed traveling around the nation and visiting many parks and as many waterfalls as they could find. Sandy teased Bill of the "Drake Curse" where they would find someone he knew, where ever they went. In both summer and winter, Bill could be found cruising around on the John Deere tractor mowing or blowing snow.

Bill was preceded in death by this parents William and Marcella, and younger brother Mike and sister Marcelaine. Bill is survived by his wife Sandy(Kleinschmidt), brother Ray(Karen) Drake, son William G III(Tina) and daughter Kim Morehouse. Along with grandkids Camryn and Emma Drake, and Brandon and Alex Morehouse and many cherished friends and family.

A visitation for William will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. During the visitation will be a military honors at 5:30 PM. Casual dress code. The family encourages guests to wear their MSU or Detroit Lions gear in honor of William's love for both teams.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Greater Lansing Foodbank, another community foodbank, or charity of your choice under Bill's name.