William S. Pien, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi, Michigan. He was born on December 12th, 1948, in Guangzhou, China, and moved to Taiwan shortly after, where he spent his full childhood. After graduating from HSNU – The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University, his family came to the United States, where they began a new chapter in New York. William had a strong passion for engineering, science and math, studying Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering at NYU, and then completing his Master of Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

In July of 1976, William began what was an illustrious 39-year career with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, starting as a Manufacturing Engineer with the Ford College Graduate program and retiring as the Technical Specialist of the Aerodynamic team. During his time at Ford, William had a great impact on the Ford F-Series Truck product family, as well as working on the Thunderbird, Fusion, Mustang programs, and was instrumental in establishing new wind tunnel facilities for the company. He developed strong, life-long relationships with his friends and coworkers, and his methods and processes are often still referenced today within his prior teams. 

In 1977, William also met Yen-Yun Rosa Lu, through friends at a University of Detroit-Mercy Chinese Student Association gathering. After a year of dating, they officially wed on August 12, 1978, in Beverly Hills, Michigan. Their 46-year marriage was one of deep love, partnership and support, and throughout their time together, they would often say they were each other’s best friend.

William was a highly dedicated family man – he always found time to spend with his children, nurturing their passions and interests and driving them to countless piano, viola and violin lessons, soccer practices, games, orchestra concerts, pompon performances and summer camps all over the Midwest. He could often be found with a cup of coffee in a travel mug, a book in hand, waiting near his Taurus wagon, to pick up one kid or whisk another to the next event.

After William retired in July 2015, he turned his attention to his deep love of travel. All throughout William’s life, he loved to explore the US and the world, especially in places close to nature. He visited many of the US National Parks, as well as spent time in Taiwan, Hawaii and river cruises through China and Europe. William had several passions that ran very deeply – his love of music spanned genres and passed onto his children. He enjoyed everything from Pavarotti to the Beatles and Peter, Paul & Mary, and everything between. He also loved movies, specifically Star Wars and Star Trek. William could often be heard using his “Darth Vader” voice around those he loved, saying “Luke, I am your Father…!” His grandchildren knew that time with him meant epic movies, with triple features of Indiana Jones, Independence Day, Star Trek and more. William also loved to cook and was a master at making dumplings and scallion pancakes, and was a talented artist, capable of drawing with either hand, making beautiful sketches of birds, cars and airplanes. He enjoyed cheering for Michigan on football Saturdays and the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

William is survived by his wife, Rosa, his daughter Janet and her husband Steve; son Stephen and his wife Callie; and grandchildren, Elijah, Hugo, Will & Colin, as well as his beloved dogs, Ginger & Kasey. He has a sister, Jane, and brother, Tony, who both live in New York. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 15th, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy. All friends and family who wish to share their memories or love of William are welcome to join.