William Martin Lawicki

LAWICKI, WILLIAM M. Age 84 March 18, 2020. On March 18, 2020, the man we knew as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, and neighbor passed away in the comforts of his home with his wife, Nancy and daughter, Laura by his side. Bill is now in Heaven, reunited with his parents Eleanore (Majchrzak) and Aloysious, sisters Grace (Iwankowski) and Yolanda, and brothers Alois and Jimmy. Surviving him are his wife, Nancy of 58 wonderful years, daughters Laura (Flora Cappello), Lynda Charow and Lisa, and the apple-of-his-eye, granddaughter, Victoria (“Tori”) Charow. Bill grew up on E Grand Blvd in Detroit, attended St. Anthony elementary and high schools; served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard; and attended the University of Detroit and Wayne State University. His very first job was selling hot dogs in Detroit’s Eastern Market at the age of 12. Later on down the line Bill worked in the data processing department at General Motors for 8 ½ years before accepting a sales position with the Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau. He then went on to become VP of Sales for the Denver Convention Bureau, then moved to the east coast to work for the Atlantic City (NJ) Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bill, Nancy and their completed brood of three girls returned to the Midwest when he accepted a sales position back with the Detroit Convention Bureau. Over the course of that tenure Bill booked over $6 billion worth of convention business; enjoyed meeting and working with a number of Detroit’s prominent and dedicated citizens; and said one of the highlights of his career was working on the visit of Pope John Paul II to Detroit. Bill also received the Milton Carmichael Award that honors those who have contributed to the legacy of the Bureau’s founding fathers through leadership in shaping the organization; and finally retired from the Bureau in January of 2000. For over 30 years one of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his wife at their cabin on Lake Leelanau, where his life of retired bliss included living in God’s country for 7 months of the year when he took over the position of Resident Manager for Leelanau’s Rustic Resort, handling all rental and on-site management for the cabins his big brother, Al originally purchased in 1967. For 13 years Bill proudly carried on his brother’s legacy, with Nancy always at his side. Together they enjoyed living on Lake Leelanau; spending time behind the wheel of their pontoon boat; and being a part of the summer vacation memories for numerous families, many of which continue to stay in touch with them since his retirement from this position in October of 2015. Bill undeniably possessed the gift of gab, and loved sharing stories with whomever cared to listen. One of his favorite pastimes included hitting the casino. The man was also gifted with a green thumb, enjoying gardening and beautifying his residences with an abundance of colorful flowers. Bill was, and will always be remembered as, a good man. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do, or sacrifice, for the sake of his family. The lessons he taught his baby girls were many. His devotion to the Lord and Virgin Mary was unshakable. He will be forever missed, but never, ever forgotten. Visitation Friday 3-9pm with 7:00pm Rosary and Saturday 10:00am until time of Service at 11:00am at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (Shelby Township). Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com **** Please be advised in observance of our State's Governmental Order: We will be limiting funeral gatherings to 50 people at any one time. When in attendance, we ask for the safety and well-being of the family's we serve that we practice social distancing. ****

William Martin Lawicki

October 6, 1935 - March 18, 2020