William Lack

William Howard Lack was born in Sparta, Tennessee, on September 29, 1945, to Walter Ramond Lack and Mary Rachel (Lawson) Lack. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Michael, sister Linda, and his first wife Ruth (Geiger) Lack. He is survived by: his wife, Jacquelyn (Town) Lack, brothers Lloyd (Nancy) Lack, and Carl (Connie) Lack, his children: Christian Floyd (Joanne), Jeremiah Lack, Andrew Floyd (Kimberly), Benjamin Lack, Hannah Lack Thomas (Nathan), and Jessiemay Lack, and his grandchildren: Andreus Peavy, Ruthann Clinton, Lawrence Lee, Hailey Clinton, Latavia Lee, Jayden Lack, Miah Lack, Liam and Evelyn Floyd.

We lost our beloved Bill to a courageous battle with cancer way too soon. He was a husband, father, brother, grandpa (gramps/grampsy), deacon, educator, friend and mentor. Bill was raised in Albion, Michigan, and graduated from Albion High School in 1963. He was drafted into the army in 1966 and discharged honorably in 1968. He earned degrees from Michigan State University in Wildlife Management and from Central Michigan University with his teaching certificate. He spent 35 years as an elementary educator, mostly as a 3rd grade teacher at Sycamore Elementary in Holt, Michigan. He retired in 2006 but continued to substitute teach a number of years afterward.

Bill married his first wife Ruth (Geiger) Lack in 1967. They adopted four children and spent many happy years on their farm on Barnes Road in Mason, Michigan. In 1989, Bill lost his first love to cancer at a terribly young age.

In 1992, Bill married Jackie and they blended their families, “Brady Bunch” style. As their family grew through marriages and grandchildren, Bill remained true to his laid-back style, quietly serving the family in spite of the ruckus around him.

Bill enjoyed traveling with Jackie, his children and friends. He was close to checking off his bucket list desire of visiting all seven continents! His final trips to Africa and Asia had unfortunately been postponed due to the Covid pandemic. He was also working on seeing all of the U.S. National Parks, but those trips were also postponed due to Covid.

We will remember Bill as our “Mr. Wizard” – knowing all answers to our questions before Google was even a thought. He was a master of puns and all-knowing of birds and trees. Bill was also a chef for the family, a concert-goer, a Wharton Center enthusiast and donor, a crossword puzzler, a golfer, a soccer coach, enthusiast and dad on the sidelines, and a 5k racer. But most of all, Bill was a Spartan fan forever. Go Green!

Finally, Bill loved his Lord and enjoyed serving his church, Messiah Lutheran in Holt, where he was not only a deacon but also led the weekly chapel at Messiah Child Development Center. He also served at Youth Haven Ranch during Forts and Sorts Week. We will all deeply miss “Mr. Bill”, as Jackie was fond of calling him. We take comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus, being reunited with the loves who went before him. Until we see you again, Bill, we will hold your memory in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5740 W. Holt Rd., Holt. Masks are required. His family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, 2121 N. Cedar St., Holt, and beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. A livestream of the service will be viewable on the church’s website.

Burial of ashes, with military honors, will immediately follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery, 213 N. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Messiah Lutheran Church, Martin Luther High School, or Holt Education Foundation.