Traverse City Record-Eagle

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February 17, 2012

William Herbert Vezina

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TRAVERSE CITY — On Feb. 8, as he slept, William Herbert Vezina was taken home to be with the Lord, his savior. Born June 9, 1938, to Catherine and Herbert Vezina, of Traverse City. "Bill" was the oldest brother of Lynn (Kevin) Groff, Dick Vezina and Kathy (Russ) Lunnen.

He was a member of St. Francis Church and graduated from St. Francis High School.

A career in the restaurant business began early at Bill Thomas Restaurant. He went on to be catering manager at the Park Place Hotel prior to buying the restaurant, Dills and soon after changed the name to "Bill's Dills". He took pride in the continued Friday fish fry and his famous sizzler steak. He served family, friends and even a few famous patrons.

Bill also worked for Covell Funeral Home, following in his father's footsteps. He was a Deputy Sheriff, working under his uncle, Dick Wielder. He took great pride in serving Grand Traverse County as a volunteer fireman and was in charge on "Red One".

He loved sports, which lead him to coaching t-ball thru softball and sponsoring many teams. He also coached his son's hockey teams from pee-wee to the travel team. After moving to Florida he continued to coach and was affectionately known as "Coach Billy".

His greatest joys were going to sporting events wearing his team colors, sneaking cookies, jelly beans and manning the pig roaster at special occasions. He loved collecting stuffed animals for special needs children and his great-grandbabies.

Bill took pride in his children and grandchildren, Christine (Jeff) Orton, Kim (Robert) Thomas, Jeannie Brimm, Lisa (Jim) Vezina, William Vezina, Michael (Sue) Vezina and Lori (Craig) Clemons; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bill was joyfully welcomed home by his mother, father and little brother.

Those of us who remain here love and miss him and will see him again.

A memorial service is being held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in North Port, Fla. A memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at 11 a.m., at St Francis Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass, with a rosary recitation at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to Covell Funeral Home.

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