William Hottinger

HOTTINGER, WILLIAM RAY -- Age 83, of Swartz Creek died November 21, 2019. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday November 25 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. Burial at Bendle Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 AM until time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Those desiring may make contributions to Ann Arbor Youth Chorale or Hospice of ones choice. William was born March 1, 1936 in southern Ohio, Bill grew up near Wilmington in a tiny place called Gurneyville. Surrounded by hog farms and corn fields, Bill enjoyed working on the farm, reading and playing football for Wilmington High School. Bill served his country in the Army where he ventured to Greenland and Alaska. He enjoyed driving specialized heavy equipment on the snow and especially enjoyed driving officers. Not long after returning to Wilmington, his sister Emily introduced Peggy Hicks to her brother, Bill. The couple was married in 1962 at Chester Friends Meeting and lived on Mulberry Street "in town" in their first home, where they welcomed daughter Shayla. After his enlistment was up Bill worked delivering dressed chickens. He gave up that glamour career to pursue what became a life long career in industrial laundry. Working his way up from delivery truck driver, to salesman, to general manager, his job took the family to Dayton, and Springfield, where his son Kyle Hottinger was born, Saginaw and Swartz Creek, Michigan. Bill was an avid reader, ran many races and excelled as a race walker. He was especially proud of the number of times he finished the Crim and enjoyed sharing that race with his son-in-law Gregg Powell. A long time member of Toastmasters, Bill served the Flint chapter as area governor for two years. Bill spent many evenings shuttling his daughter to piano lessons, play practice and figure skating lessons, his son to football practice. He never missed a school concert or a football game that Shayla or Kyle played in. His wife Peggy, took extraordinary care of Bill following his diagnosis and life changing dementia. The remarkable care that she provided afforded Bill and his family many years of quality time together. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; children, Shayla (Gregg) Powell of Ann Arbor, Kyle (Jennifer) Hottinger of Swartz Creek; grandchildren Reed Hottinger, Rileigh Hottinger, Teagan Hottinger; sisters Emily (Charles) Jenkins, Ilene (Donald) Secrest; brothers Paul (Patty) Hottinger, Floyd (Judy) Hottinger, John (Beverly) Hottinger, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Cora and Ray Hottinger. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.