William F. "Billy" Ezell's Obituary
William “Billy” Franklin Ezell, 83, of North Muskegon, Michigan was called home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 after suffering a long 6 year battle with a Traumatic Brain Injury and Aphasia.
Bill was born on July 9, 1939 in a log cabin in Taylor Edition, Campbell, Missouri to John Franklin and Emma Mozette (Tidwell) Ezell. Bill was the youngest of their three children; Gary Lynn, being the oldest and a beloved sister, Vera Lee, who died at an early age.
Bill & his brother Gary were raised by their grandmother, Ethel Ezell, who worked at the school they attended in Campbell. Upon leaving school, Bill went to live with his mother. At age 17 he wanted to join the Army but was too young, so his mother signed permission for him to enlist. While in the Army, he attained his GED, later graduating from the US Army Signal Corps South Eastern Signal School at Ft. Gordon. He was assigned to be in charge of the Communication Center for the US Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey and made weekly trips across the San Francisco Bay to pick up supplies. He was then assigned to Seoul, Korea where he was stationed at a base next to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone separating North/South Korea), where he was responsible for driving the Army General. He received an Army Notation as “Having great initiative, a willingness to learn and being excellent in all things”. He was proud to be an Army Veteran, having served from 1956 to 1962.
After the Army, he traveled to Michigan with his good friend LeRay Snider to find work. In February of 1962, he met the love of his life, Linda Lou Critchett. They were married a year later on May 23, 1963 in Campbell, Missouri.
Bill worked as Dispatcher and Assistant Manager for C&H Transportation in Los Angeles and was later transferred to take over as Manager of the C&H terminal in West Memphis, Arkansas. He then transferred to Dallas, Texas and later Houston, and was in the process of transitioning to a Vice President position before deciding to move back to Michigan to spend time with his family. Upon moving to North Muskegon, Bill owned and operated North Muskegon Snowplowing and Lawn Care until an auto accident forced him into retirement. Prior to the accident he was looking forward to spending time wintering in Florida and spending much longed for time with his brother Gary & wife Lou and their family. Bill’s hobbies included golfing with his brother-in-law Jerry Critchett, spending time on his pontoon boat, catfishing and hunting.
Above all his accomplishments in his life, the most important thing to him was his love and commitment to the Lord. His magnetic personality drew people to him and he loved to pray for strangers. He was a member of the Marquette Church of Christ and was baptized on Sunday, September 11, 2011 making a public profession of his faith. He was very proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the church.
Bill is survived by his wife Linda (Critchett) Ezell of North Muskegon, son-in-law Dudley Wheeler Sr, brothers Gary Ezell, Doyce Scott and Dewayne Ezell, sisters Debbie Williamson and Roxie (Ronnie) Thompson, grandsons Dudley (Kara) Wheeler, Cody Wheeler, great grandsons Donte, Bastian and only great granddaughter Eliza May Wheeler, in-laws Jerry (Pam) Critchett, Donna Buit, Marlene Walters and numerous nieces, nephews and other family who loved and adored him. A special salute to his Army buddy Ray Flannery.
Bill was preceded in death by a special grandmother Ethel Ezell, daughter Gladys Helen Wheeler, parents John Ezell and Emma Mozette Scott, sisters Vera Lee Ezell, Kay Balentine and Marsha Scott , in-laws Jonathan & Evelyn Critchett, stepmother Opal McMunn, sisters-in-law Wilma Lou Ezell, Ellen Campbell and Gladys Scott, brothers-in-law John Critchett, Ed Walters, Jack Buit, and close childhood friends Gaylon Shepard and Raymond Baker.
Linda would like to thank all those who were there for Bill this past year; David Tucker, Jerry & Pam Critchett, Donna & Ron Buit, John Meister, Nancy & Mike Paul, and Ed Nichols. A special thanks to Mike & Carie Andree, Dudley Wheeler, Carol McIntyre, Larry Kooi, Eileen Plouhar, Stewart & Cathrine Masiyakurima of Zimbabwe, Isaacs Jr Chafungamoyo, Gerri Cash, Frances & Phillip Fernandez, Marilyn Mauldin, Sherrie Balentine, Corky Wolf, Susan Asmussen, and Kevin Megley for all their love and support which carried Linda through this past year and Journey who helped feed Bill at the Medi-Lodge.
Please join us in celebrating his life and legacy at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services with Brother Dean Wolf, Elder officiating. Location is 6291 S. Harvey Street, Norton Shores on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 11:00AM. Visitation will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shults-Lewis Child & Family Services Inc., PO Box 471, Valparaiso, IN 46384 which he loved and supported. Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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