It is with great sadness that the family of William James Goff announce his passing on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the age of 79, after an exhaustive battle with cancer.
William, known as Bill to most and Billy to his sisters, was born to Betty Robinson and Charles Goff in 1945 and grew up in Vanderbilt, Michigan, surrounded by his siblings and cousins. William joined the United States Army and proudly served his country with the 1st Cavalry Division in North Carolina and at Camp Gerry Owen in South Korea. He married the love of his life and best friend, Frances Wilson, in 1966, in spite of her prior declaration that he was the “most arrogant man she’d ever had the misfortune of meeting.”
Bill and Fran would go on to have three children Charles (Tymberlee), Tammy (James), and Billie Jo (Bradley). He became known as Pop Pop to his grandchildren; Mattie, Spencer, Mya, Owen (Tommissa), Zachary, and Matthew, whom he would spoil endlessly with M&M’s and ‘just one more’ tractor ride.
Bill resided in Elmira, Michigan, for most of his years where he worked as a logger and raised his family. He will be remembered for his love of line dancing, good music, and travel, as well as his prolific green thumb, charitable heart, and raucous laughter. While he never met a song he couldn’t dance to, nothing brought him more joy than delivering a well-timed joke and seeing the resulting smile on another person’s face. Though his final years were filled with medical appointments and many difficult treatments he never lost his zest for life or his sense of humor.
Bill is survived by his children; grandchildren; and siblings, Noreen Clark, Katy Goff, and Daniel Smith.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Betty; his wife of 46 years, Frances; and his closest friend, Bud (Oser) Wescoat.
Bill’s children would like to extend a sincere debt of gratitude to Dr. Fedak and the entire oncology care team at Karmanos McLaren Northern Michigan as well as Dr. Gardener and the ENT team at the Henry Ford Hospital, and the full rehabilitation team at Traverse City Munson Mary Free Bed for their kindness and dedication to his care. The family also expresses their thanks to Jenna Toensing from Kennedy Care, for her immeasurable assistance, support, and friendship over the past year.
A Memorial Service will be held March 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Vanderbilt Community Church, 455 W Main St, Vanderbilt, MI 49795.
It was Bill’s wish that instead of flowers, donations be made in his memory to the upcoming Mid-Michigan Honor Flight being sponsored by Michigan teen Abbie Jones; a young lady he met on his Honor Flight in October 2024 who is working to fundraise for a full Honor Flight. Ear-marked donations for Abbie’s efforts can be sent to Mid-Michigan Honor Flight P.O. Box 98, Gowen, MI 49326.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
Obituary as submitted by family
