Mr. William A. Avery

AVERY, Mr. William A. “Bill” – Age 83, passed away Friday, November 29, 2013 at Evergreen Health and Living Center in Southfield, MI. Family hour 8:30 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2013 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2109 M.L. King Ave., with funeral service commencing at 9 a.m. Pastor Rodney Ellison officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 8:30 a.m. Friday. Mr. Avery will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12noon-8 p.m. Thursday. Mr. William A. Avery, affectionately known as “Bill”, was born on January 30, 1930, in Guys, Tennessee, the son of Jeffrey and Eze Avery. He was the youngest of six children and the only son of the family. Due to parental illness, William was raised on the Avery Farm by his uncle, Willie D. Avery and aunt, Susie Avery. At an early age, William accepted Christ and was baptized at the Little Zion Baptist Church in Corinth, Mississippi. As a youth, William evolved into a charismatic and popular young man. He graduated from McNairy Central High School in Selman, Tennessee where he played forward on the State tournament winning basketball team. After leaving the Avery Farm, William lived with his grandfather, James Burns until he entered the United States Army. Following two years of military service, William was Honorably Discharged. Soon thereafter, William was hired by General Motors and moved to Flint, Michigan. In November 1959, William married the love of his life, Lorenzie Anthony. To this union, two children were born, Jeffrey and Michael. William took family seriously and ensured his wife and children were well taken care of. William retired from General Motors in 1993 after 39 years of service. He had a tremendous commitment to the workplace and to the community. Consequently, William was an active member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the Men's Choir. He looked forward to attending church service each Sunday. Equally important was William's involvement in the Austin Block Club and Flint Neighborhood Coalition. William was President of the Austin Block Club for four years and could be found barbecuing at the annual block club party. The neighborhood thoroughly enjoyed William's perfectly seasoned barbecue. William found pleasure working in his garden and watching all kinds of sports. He especially loved watching teams from his home state of Tennessee. Mr. Avery leaves to cherish in his memory: daughter, Carolyn Avery of Minneapolis, MN; sons, William Avery of Tennessee, Jeffrey Avery and Stacy Holbrook, both of Flint, and Michael Avery of Detroit, MI; granddaughter, MaKayla J. Avery of Southfield, MI; grandson, Sherrod Word of Flint; 4 sisters, Mildred Waterman of Toledo, OH, Lavora Anthony of Palo Alto, CA, Marilyn Johnson of Paducah, KY and May Aikens of New York, NY; a host of nieces and nephews including loving niece, Geraldine (Raymond) Oliver of Detroit, MI and special nephew, Keith Polk of Cleveland, OH; sister-in-law, Earline Stewart of Detroit, MI; a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Avery was preceded in death by: devoted wife of 53 years, Lorenzie Avery; parents, Jeffrey and Eze Avery and sister, Muzettie Avery-Irons.

Mr. William A. Avery

January 30, 1930 - November 29, 2013