William Ernest Oliver

William Ernest Oliver, age 95, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022. Born in Detroit on January 24, 1927, Bill was the fifth of seven children born to Ernest Francis Oliver of Detroit, MI and Felice Voss Oliver of Cincinnati, OH.

Bill was the loving husband of his wife, Liz, for 65 years, before the Lord took her in 2015 at 89 years of age. Liz and Bill were married on June 24, 1950, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Detroit, where they also attended grade school and high school together. They graduated from the Jesuit University of Detroit in 1948 and 1949. In the following years they raised nine children, seven boys and two girls, to whom they were dedicated all their lives.

As a young man, Bill proudly served in the U. S. Navy, where he earned the rank of Ensign at the age of 19. Some of his fondest memories stemmed from this experience and in retirement he often attended reunions with the shipmates who sailed alongside him on the USS Douglas H. Fox in 1946.

Upon completion of his tour in the navy, Bill attended Rensselaer Polytechnic and then the Chrysler Institute, where he graduated with a master’s in automotive engineering. As a young Chrysler employee, he also attended Wayne State University law school at night, from which he eventually earned a JD degree.

After 20 years at Chrysler, Bill moved his family to Atlanta, Georgia, where he founded International Business Consultants, Inc., a mergers and acquisitions company that brought him much success during his remaining professional years. He retired in 2010.

Bill and Liz shared a love of tennis and bridge, travel and social engagement, but above all they were devout Catholics, who remained active in their beloved St Jude’s parish throughout their lives, participating in ministries such as the Men’s’ Club, Eucharistic Adoration, Ministry To The Sick, Liturgy, Funeral, RCIA, SERRA, and Respect Life. Many of their closest friendships over the latter years of their lives centered around St Jude’s.

After Liz’ death in 2015, Bill retained his active lifestyle of social engagement in the church, but it was increasingly clear as the years passed that he longed to rejoin his beloved wife, which he did after a short illness in September 2022.

Bill is survived by his children: Michael Oliver (Julia), David Oliver (Mihoko), Paul Oliver, Mark Oliver (Jennifer), Joseph Oliver (Victoria), Mary Oliver, Trish Oliver (John DiPaola), Daniel Oliver (Kimberly), and Willie Oliver. He is also lovingly remembered by his thirteen grandchildren. What follows is a remembrance written by Bill’s youngest son, Willie:

I remember these ties that bind.

In my heart and mind live the cherished deeds and love of my dear old father.

I remember Turbo the horse in our backyard in Indianapolis and watching the mallard ducks swim along in the wooded creek.

I remember with great fondness the castle we lived in in Detroit.

I remember the vacations to Florida.

I remember the pictures he drew and painted.

I remember all the parties and all of the cards.

I remember him bringing home the new cars for the first time and how thrilled we were that he was coming.

I remember how he plucked my note to Santa from the windowsill.

I remember when he wrote on my report that I was so bright he called me Sun.

I remember when he came down from the roof and chased off that man.

I remember the cool scene in Ohio (He had a hard act to follow but he did.)

I remember the horses, the chickens, the Jeep, and taking hikes.

I remember the family football games, The Statue of Liberty play.

I remember managing to listen to all the best music.

I remember laughing our heads off to Bill Cosby records and how Dad even took us to see him at Cobo Hall.

I remember us moving to suburban Atlanta.

I remember epic neighborhood tennis tournaments he won.

I remember many epic matches he and I played and some I won.

I remember him bailing me out when I needed some help.

I remember the boat and the time we spent looking for fish.

I remember Neil Diamond and Gordon Lightfoot and scrambled eggs.

I remember the Sunday night meetings of The Pinochleheads.

I remember dear old Bill the son of Ernest - only a ham could come from that ham.

I remember all this indelibly and eternally and gratefully.

Turn the page.

The family of William Oliver will receive friends on Thursday, September 29th, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary’s Joyful Mysteries, at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Highway, 30328. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, with a reception following. Bill will be buried on Friday, October 7 in Detroit's Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, alongside Liz and many other family members, following a Mass at 11 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Royal Oak, MI, preceded by a viewing there at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requests that donations be made in his memory to the Pregnancy Aid Clinic, PO Box 92, Roswell GA 30077, 404-763-4357, https://www.pregnancyaidclinic.com/locations.html