William “Bill” Barz (Barszcz) passed from this world and entered heaven January 13, 2021 at the age of 97.  Beloved husband of the late Helen (Marchlewski) for 58 years. Loving father of MaryAnn (Rob) Hayes, Bill (Colleen) and John (Debbie). Also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Predeceased by sisters Estelle Gish and Helen Zaleski. 

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan to the late Jan Barszcz and Franciska Kedra, who both immigrated from Poland on the same ship, though they did not realize that until they met at a party in New York City shortly after. Bill had two sisters; Estelle, who was 6 years older and Helen, who was 4 years older. Bill was very proud of his sisters and was often heard saying they were the best sisters he could ever hope for. The stories and laughter they would share whenever they got together through the years tell of a happy and loving childhood that triumphed over the Great Depression.

Eager to “help the United States win the war”, Bill was happy to get drafted in 1943, at the age of 19. Letters to home revealed that Bill “enjoyed” basic training, the food, and meeting people from around the country with “different accents”. He actually had fun (maybe not the marching so much). Bill entered combat duty in September of ’43 in Italy as part of the 45th Division of the Army and was shot in November. Bill’s sisters received a telegram from Washington DC stating that he was killed in action. Thankfully, they received another telegram the following day informing them of the error in the previous telegram and that Bill was not dead but wounded and taken prisoner. (The world would be so much colder had the first telegram been correct and that this obituary was not being written some 77 years later). And there would be several more, similar “close calls” Bill would survive thanks to his strong faith, wit, and a bit of “luck”. Thanks to the insistence of his father to learn the Polish language when he was young, Bill served as an interpreter in the POW camp hospital which afforded him slightly better conditions than most of the prisoners. Bill was liberated April 15, 1945 near the Belgian border after enduring three and a half months on the brutal German Death March.

Upon returning to the States, Bill studied Mechanical Drafting on the GI Bill and became a draftsman and checker in the automotive tooling and business machines industries. His many professional accomplishments include being awarded a United States Patent. Returning home also gave “Uncle Bill” the opportunity to spend countless hours playing with his nephews, Ted Gish and Mitch Zaleski. The three “Vikings” (named after a Kirk Douglas movie they had seen) had all kinds of fun adventures, though Uncle Bill would never let them win at ping-pong; they would have to truly beat him if they wanted to win. 

The fun-loving Bill also had many like-minded friends who were always laughing and joking around as they enjoyed golf, bowling, and vacations. Bill also became a very good dancer. He met his future wife, Helen, at a dance and they won several dance contests together in their early years. They were married in 1960, and together they raised a family of daughter, MaryAnn, and sons, Bill and John. One of Bill’s favorite accomplishments is designing their new family home which was built in West Bloomfield in 1967. It was a beautiful home and its proximity to Woodpecker Lake and Shenandoah Golf Course made for many great moments for the family growing up. 

Years later, the children married, and the family grew to include grandkids Tom, Joey, Devin, Collin, Nate, Jim, and Andrea, followed by 6 great-grandchildren. Bill was always proud of the accomplishments of his family and enjoyed attending their events, vacations, and helping any way he could. Bill was very encouraging and supportive of all their undertakings and would brag of their accomplishments as if they were the greatest thing ever. And what made that so special is that he truly meant it. 

Bill will forever be remembered for his happy, fun-loving, light-hearted nature. There was always a bright smile on his face and sparkle in his eyes. Even to the end, when asked how he was feeling would come his trademark response, “with my hands”. At all times and in every situation, he was perpetually positive and eternally optimistic and could find the good in everything.

Bill was defined by his strong Catholic faith and proud military service, but he was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. 

He will lie in-state on Saturday, January 23rd, 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Refuge Parish, 3700 Commerce Rd., Orchard Lake. Donations appreciated to Wounded Warrior Project. Unfortunately, Covid prohibits us gathering for a celebration of Bill’s life at this time; however, please consider posting a memory at the links below until we can meet again.