William Robert ("Bill" & "Butch") Faria died peacefully May 24, 2022, with family at his side.

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan February 25, 1925, to Thora (Fjeld) and Anthony Faria, both of whom immigrated to the United States in 1915 from Norway and British Guiana, respectively.

Bill had an active childhood during which he excelled in several sports, most particularly hockey and baseball. He attended Denby High School. Right up to his final days he enjoyed talking about his most memorable moments, many of which involved his older brother, Anthony (Bud).

Bill joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating high school, during World War II. He was one of the last remaining survivors among those landing at Normandy D-Day morning. He also served throughout the Battle of the Bulge. Bill was at first reluctant to talk about his war experience out of respect for fallen comrades, but later he shared many stories of both adventure and kindness. He told family that he thought about D-Day every single day of his life, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate. He was honored by Hospice of Michigan for his service four days before his death, an event which moved him to tears. He had his hockey skates with him throughout the war, and actually got to use them once while in Belgium.

Shortly after returning from Europe Bill met Catherine (Kay) Green, and they soon married. They loved the outdoors, and playing tennis (regularly early in the morning before work) and downhill skiing together. Together they fulfilled their lifelong wish to own a cottage on Higgins Lake, where they went almost every weekend for many years, and where Bill enjoyed water skiing. As Kay's health declined, Bill was her sole caregiver, a role which he filled with endless love and energy even at 90 years of age. When complimented on his care for Kay, his typical response was "she was so easy to take care of."

Bill retired from a long career with the National Bank of Detroit where he worked his way up to chief internal auditor, and became known both within the Bank and at other institutions for his unique investigative abilities.

Bill was a most loving father and grandfather who loved playing and spending time with his two sons, Gary and Brian, and his three grandchildren, Michael Faria, Lisa Petitjean, and Danielle Lee. Shortly before his death he called one of his sons aside and said "I want to thank you and your brother for giving me such a nice life".

After Kay passed, Bill loved just sitting on the porch of his house in St. Clair Shores, where he resided from 1949 to 2021, chatting with neighbors passing by. He could do that all day long, and after he left for assisted living the neighborhood was never quite the same.

Bill was a devout Christian, and a member of Bethel Lutheran Church for nearly 70 years, where he served in many capacities. Bill never stopped talking about Kay in his final years, and always looked forward to joining her again after his passing. He was ready to move on to do just that, and had a wonderful last couple of weeks visiting with family and his former loving neighbors, and sitting on the porch of his new home.

Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com