Bill E. Samples

Billy "Bill" E. Samples, age 83, of Flushing passed away at home on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Funeral Service will be held at 12pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Home - Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road in Swartz Creek. Visitation will be held the night before from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Home - Miller Road Chapel, and again on Wednesday, at 10am until the time of the Funeral Service at 12pm noon. Bill will be laid to rest at Flushing City Cemetery with Military Honors. Online condolences can be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Bill was born on August 21, 1940, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the late Loyd & Ruth Samples. He graduated from Lincoln Park High School, class of 1958. He furthered his education with two years at the University of Tennessee, studying electrical engineering, and two years at tech school in Detroit, before being drafted into the United States Army. In the Army he specialized in communications, and was based in Washington, and Alaska. After his military service he was employed by the Honeywell Corporation, in Florida. At Honeywell, he built electrical components for high profile projects within the space program, such as the Gemini Program. He eventually made his way to Flint, Michigan where he was employed with ABC 12 News / WJRT for forty-two years, retiring in 2010. Even in retirement he couldn't keep away from his passion, and he proudly returned once or twice a year to work on his beloved programs such as the Christmas Pops. During his career he was awarded 14 Emmy Awards, and the Silver Circle Award for lifetime achievement. Bill could easily say he never worked a day in his life because he loved what he did.

Bill had a lifelong infatuation with photography and would rarely be seen without a camera in hand. This passion started at an early age, and he served at the photographer for his high school newspaper. Bill also had a great love for aviation and looked forward to attending airshows every summer. He inspired his son to become an airline pilot and has also spread the love of flying to his grandson. 

Bill married the love of his life, Helen Ardelean, in Owosso, Michigan, on June 6, 1970. Together, they were blessed with their son, Mark. Some of their fondest memories were their many travels across the states. In 2019, Bill and Mark traveled together to South Africa on a photo safari. The photo album Bill created from this journey is one of his prize possessions.

He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Samples, his son, Mark (Monica) Samples, two grandchildren, Alexis & Blake Samples, cousin, Rick (Laura) Lewis, siblings-in-law, Maryann Cross, Virginia Fetterman, John (Bonnie) Ardelean and Rosemary (Harvey) Clay. Bill is further survived by many dear nieces, nephews and other dear relatives too numerous to list but never forgotten.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his cousin, Larry Ehrhardt, nephew, Michael Ardelean, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Cross, Bob Fetterman, and David Ardelean.