William Ray Sedlacek, 73, of Kingsley, passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021, with his family by his side.  Bill was born July 17, 1948, in Traverse City, to Rudy and Vesta (Saxton) Sedlacek. He was a resident of Kingsley his entire life.

Bill was a graduate of Kingsley High School. Bill joined the Grand Traverse Rural Fire Department in 1968. In 43 years with the department, he rose through the ranks and retired after serving 15 years as Fire Chief. He spent his life serving the citizens of Grand Traverse County, his motto "Let's Roll" was a phrase he used when the alarm sounded for someone in need. He was a member of the Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, the International Fire Chiefs Association and a past president of the Northern Michigan Fire Chiefs Association. Prior to being appointed Fire Chief in 1996, Bill was a co-owner of Bogart-Sedlacek Construction. He served 20 years on Kingsley Village Council. Bill was married to Kathy Sedlacek from 1968 until 2009.

Bill played as hard as he worked. He was very social and enjoyed being with family and friends. He loved to bowl and play softball and was good at both. He was competitive and always thought his teams could win no matter the opponent. He was known as "Spark" as manager of the Kingsley Merchants Softball team. He also loved snowmobiling, hunting deer and grouse, making maple syrup on the family farm, and watching his grandchildren play sports (especially his Granddaughter MC). He coached little league and taught Hunter's Safety for 12 years. He especially loved salmon fishing in Frankfort. He would take anyone willing to go out with him and his son on their boat "RaizNkane".

Bill is survived by his mother, Vesta Sedlacek, his son, Bill (Jenny) Sedlacek and his daughter, Heidi (Jeff) Musser; grandchildren, McKenna Musser, Sawyer Musser, Anna Sedlacek, and Samuel Sedlacek; siblings, Cathy (Sam) Wright, Shelly Hulwick, Mitch (Jessi) Sedlacek, Kerri (Jay) Harry, and Lori (David) Wetherholt.  He was also cherished by numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Rudy, and sister, Kay Larraine.

Memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 3, 2022 at The Tabernacle Church in Buckley.  Graveside services will immediately follow in St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Cemetery in Kingsley.  The family will receive friends from 1-5 PM, Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson's Network North, P.O. Box 5734, Traverse City, Michigan  49696-5734.

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

www.beaconfh.com