The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Obituaries
PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008
WILLIAM READER BOATWRIGHT
Ann Arbor
William Reader Boatwright, 88, of Ann Arbor, died at his home on March 15 after a period of failing health.
He was born March 24, 1919, to William Arthur and Eva Blanche (Chapman) Boatwright at the Old Beyer Memorial Hospital. He married Ruby Irene Lien on December 18, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois. She preceeded him in death on July 27, 1999 after 53 years of marriage. Bill was an enlisted veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from August 1939 to July 1947. He later enlisted in the Naval Reserves in July 1947 to July 1952.
He joined the American Legion in 1941, becoming a life member of Legion Post #282 in Ypsilanti. In 1956, he became a member of the Phoenix Lodge No. 13 F & AM, later becoming a lifelong member. Bill was a barber in partnership with Kenneth Schmaus for 25 years in Ypsilanti.
He later worked for the city of Ann Arbor as a housing inspector and rehabilitation specialist, retiring in February 1985. He served as President of Washtenaw County Barbers Union for two terms and one term as the Augusta Township Supervisor. He was always active in the community.
Survivors include a son, William Boatwright and his wife Deborah of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; a daughter, Deborah Hensley and her husband Michael of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Sarah Hensley Smith and husband Adam, William (Alex) Boatwright, Erik Vaughn Hensley; brother, Richard L. Boatwright, his children and grandchildren; and long time family friend, Todd Barber. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Joseph D. and Eva B. Yunkman and three younger brothers, Frank and Joseph Yunkman and John Arthur Boatwright.
A Memorial Service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the Janowiak Funeral Home, 320 N. Washington, Ypsilanti with Pastor Marty Carter of Ypsilanti Assembly of God Church officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that his name be used on memorial contributions to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 5601 Northwest 72nd, Suite 124, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73132. Please sign his guestbook at www.JanowiakFuneralHome.com "Where Families Come First"
HERBERT A. BRAUNS
Redford
Herbert A. Brauns, 81, of Redford, passed away on March 11. Herbert was born in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Alfred Brauns and the late Erna M. Demuth. Herbert retired from Ford Motor Company in 1982 after 33 years. He was preceded in death by wife Lois M. Brauns, Timothy Brauns, grandson and Michael Kelley, son-in-law.
Herbert is survived by his wife Genevieve Brauns and three sons; Timothy (Laura) Brauns of Gallitzin, Pa., Alfred Brauns of Ypsilanti, and Paul E. Brauns also of Ypsilanti. He also is survived by two daughters; Martha Shepherd of Sebewaing, and Susan Kelley of Coin, Iowa; two sisters, Alfreida Westergaard (Kaj) of Ypsilanti, Millie Northrup (Bill) of Saline; two brothers, Kurt (Barb) Brauns of Manchester and Alfred Brauns of Mesick.
Herbert is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place later on this year. Memorials can be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
