William Harry Proctor, Jr.

Born in 1922 in Howell, he was a proud but humble member of what Tom Brokaw correctly coined as the Greatest Generation. After graduating from Howell High School in 1940, he knew the value of education and continued with it. However, the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor interrupted his education plans. After hearing of the attack while in Detroit, he, like many of his generation, volunteered for military service to defend his country from the tyranny of the day. He entered the US Army on February 22, 1943 and served in London during the lead up to Normandy and landed on those historic beaches on June 8, 1944. He was honorably discharged on January 11, 1946 and returned to his native Michigan to continue his education. In his later years, he would tearfully recall the sacrifices so many of our countrymen made on those beaches in France – and the terror everyone felt during the Nazi’s bombing blitz of London.

While studying business at Cleary College, he met a beautiful young woman, Rosemary Geraldine Herter, who, on July 5, 1947, became his wife. Together they raised a family of three sons in suburban Detroit while he supported the family by working in the auto industry for over thirty years. He and his wife provided a loving, nurturing environment for their three sons and a plethora of fond childhood memories. He taught the value of education, hard work and self reliance. He instilled in them the love of country and the opportunities and freedoms it provides – to give to the country without expecting it to provide for you. He taught respect for others, in honoring commitments, financial responsibility and the importance of not living beyond your means. He taught common sense and the love of life. Going through life with a happy demeanor, he was always on the “verge of fantastic.” He had a quick wit and a sharp sense of humor. He lived the life he taught – and the love he showed his wife and family was second to none. Throughout his life, he was known to chase his bride around the house for hugs and kisses. His temperament and life lesson could be summed in the prayer he liked most: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

He retired from work in 1982 and a year later moved to Arizona with his wife to enjoy twenty-seven years of retirement without the need to shovel Michigan snow. His last year saw a rapid deterioration in his physical health and the last six months were spent in a group home in Mesa, Arizona. The last months were particularly tough on his wife as she watched the man she loved, and the foundation of the family, slowly lose his strength. Although his death was expected by those who knew and loved him, his passing on his 62nd wedding anniversary at aged 87 was difficult to accept nonetheless. As he lived his life, he left holding the hand of the woman he loved for so many years.

On July 11, 2009, his cremated remains were placed in a niche at the Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetary in Mesa, Arizona. In honor of his wishes, only a few close friends and family were present. He wanted to go quietly with no fanfare, no commemorative or religious gathering. A simple departure for a humble but great man. Our faith says he’s in a better place, but the life he lived is an irrefutable testament that the world was a better place with him in it.