William J. Sullivan

William John Sullivan, age 82, a longtime resident of Royal Oak, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023. Bill was born on November 1, 1940 to the late James and Geraldine Sullivan. He attended Shrine Catholic Schools from grade school through high school graduation in 1958, and he remained a member of Shrine Parish throughout his lifetime. Bill graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1962 and then attended Wayne State University's Mortuary Science program, so that he could join the family business as a funeral director. In later years, he would go on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Detroit. A year of service in the Peace Corps took Bill away from the Detroit area to Colombia in 1963. There he lived and worked among members of a local community in conditions markedly different than life back in Michigan—indeed, a faithful horse was his main vehicle of transportation to and from work! When Bill returned to Michigan, he rejoined the family business and immersed himself in a wide variety of community activities. Bill was naturally social, and he seemed to know just about everyone. He was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, and the Royal Oak Historical Society. He enthusiastically dedicated himself to supporting countless events over the years, whether it was a special dinner for the Historical Society, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or simply organizing a park cleanup day. He also faithfully served as an usher at Shrine Church for many years. People in Royal Oak also knew Bill through his specialty shop, Dos Manos, that he opened with his wife, Cathy, in the 1980’s. The shop featured a wide variety of Latin American handcrafts and hosted a variety of community events over the years, helping Bill keep a direct connection with the part of the world that he had served during his time with the Peace Corps. Simply put, Bill was a kind soul. He was always friendly and genuinely interested in how others were doing. More than anything though, he loved his family and his grandchildren in particular, and few things made Bill happier than spending time at the family cottage on Lake Michigan with those he loved most. He will be dearly missed. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Cathy. He is survived by his children: Brian (Beverly) and Tim (Kelly); his grandchildren: Molly, Jake, Joe, Kate, and Keira; his siblings: John (Judy), Meg (Ray) Lopé, and Marty (the late Dennis) McGinnity; and his nieces and nephews: Christy, Mike, Matt, Jim, and Eric. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 12, from 2 – 8 p.m. (Scripture Service at 6 p.m.) at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd. (4 blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 13, at 10 a.m. (visitation 9:30 a.m.) at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 Twelve Mile Rd., Royal Oak. The Mass will also be livestreamed at www.shrinechurch.com/mass-livestream. Private interment will take place at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Royal Oak. Memorial contributions can be directed to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org) or Cane and Able Stroke Recovery Group (https://www.caneandable.org/donate.asp). Share a memory at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com.

William J. Sullivan

November 1, 1940 - April 4, 2023