Dr. William Francis Michels, Bill was born on October 16, 1958 and passed into God’s eternal kingdom on September 28, 2011. Beloved husband of Nancy Lorraine Michels, nee Tangen, devoted father of William Tenner Michels, Mary Frances (Russ) Glinke, Elizabeth Anne (Doug) Ehlert, and Rebecca Susan Michels; cherished grandfather of Rory James Glinke; loving son of Dolly Davis Michels and the late William Joseph Michels; dear brother of Matthew Graham (Jinger) Michels and Alan Steven Michels; dear son-in-law of Tenner Marcus and Dorothy Irene Tangen; fond brother-in-law of Susan (Harry) Maravelas and Liz (Jim) Page; uncle of Sarah, Ruth & Marie Page and David, John & Steven Maravelas.
Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and received his Ph.D., also in Chemical Engineering, from the University of Minnesota. Bill’s primary career focus was in Research & Development. He particularly liked the intellectual stimulation of collaborative research with universities to develop novel technology. Bill was well respected by those he worked with throughout the country.
He also had many diverse interests outside of his professional life. He enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, gardening, watching college football and marching bands, meteorology, geology and other scientific disciplines. In fact, Bill was often heard saying “Name a topic, I bet you I have a book in the basement about it.” Bill had a great love of music, both vocal and instrumental performance. His children also adopted his love of music. The primary focus of his music was to serve the church. Bill’s commitment to his family and his church were the most important things in his life. Bill’s strong faith in Jesus was the foundation that he built his life upon. Bill touched many hearts and lives through his compassion, love and service.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 30, 2011 from 3-8 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle, IL (on Rt. 53, between Maple Ave. and Hobson Rd.) Visitation will continue at the church Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9:30 am until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Following the funeral service, burial will be at Naperville Cemetery. For information, you may call the funeral home at 800-670-8299.
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Dear Nancy and Family, God`s amazing love enfold you at this sad time. We will all be united in Heaven, until then, our memories will sustain us. Sending heartfelt wishes for peace, comfort and love, Ed and Marlys Swetman
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys, even if I can’t be there in person! I have some great memories riding of around in a purple van with Uncle Bill driving and going to Fermilab with Uncle Bill and talking about chemistry with Uncle Bill. He will be missed!
I have known my dear friend Bill for nineteen years. We were great friends, sharing our interests of music, sports, the stock market, and especially the Lord Jesus Christ. As Minister of Music at his church, I marveled at Bill’s musical talent, his vast knowledge and wisdom, and especially his love for his family. Years ago, I remember how Bill found great joy in seeing the stock market go bullish, as his investments grew. The recent recession and loss of a job has evaporated these financial gains, but Bill found riches that surpass any worldly wealth. Knowing his Lord Jesus and believing in the priceless gift of eternal life, Bill now has riches that far outlast any material gains he thought he’d had. I will surely miss Bill in this life but I look forward to seeing him in the life to come. I rejoice that he is now in the arms of his Savior, Jesus, as I send to you, Nancy, and to your family my deepest condolences and heartfelt love.
Thinking of you guys but rejoicing that Bill is free of his pain. God is good all the time.
Bill was a great, great man, an inspiration. I will never forget how much he helped our family in time of great need, and I regret not telling him more of how much that meant to us. The earth lost a good one today, I hope that he is out of pain and resting peacefully with the Lord. Nancy, I am so, so sorry. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
A friend of mine from Carter High School Days sent me this. Bill was a couple of years younger than me but we overlapped at Carter for a year. We both played baritone in the band. He was first chair and I was second, so we spent a lot of time sitting next to each other. After I graduated, I went to UT, where Bill came along 2 years later. He played in the band there and I’d see him at football games and around campus. I graduated from UT and headed off to the University of Minnesota for graduate school in psychology. I didn’t know it, but Bill went to Minnesota two years later to study chemical engineering. One evening I was walking home from school and a guy passed by me. “Steve?” he said. It was Bill. We didn’t know each other were there but he recognized me walking past hime in the dark. I ran into him a few times on campus after that, but lost touch after I graduated. Sounds like he was successful in family and business. He was always an upbeat, happy guy. I suspect he was that way all his life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
We are sad to hear off Bill’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.