Obituary of William Near, Sr.

William Junior Near Sr., known affectionately to all as Bill, embarked on his final road trip through the pearly gates on November 12, 2025, at the very place he first revved his engines on this earth—Saginaw, MI. Born on a sunny day May 29, 1939, to the late Orville and Rosie Near. Bill's journey was one of laughter, love, and the occasional greasy handshake, thanks to a life well-lived under the hood of countless cars in Bridgeport, MI. 

 Bill's legacy is as rich and full as the sound of a well-tuned V8. His fiancée, Sandy Bradburn,  and his children—Diane (Don Stenger), Jerry Near (Barb Vance), Timothy (Marietta Near), Gary Near, Dawn Morgan, Belinda Jones, Kathy Near Dunn, and BillyRay Luark. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren are as numerous as the nuts and bolts he's turned over the years, each carrying a spark of his wit. Rosemary and Frances, his surviving sisters, along with a garage full of nieces, nephews, and cousins, will miss his endless jokes and pranks. Bill was predeceased by his son, William Near Jr., and brothers Leroy, Frank, Richard, Robert, and Larry Near, who have no doubt saved him the best spot in the celestial parking lot.

 As a car mechanic, Bill was a local legend. If engines are the heart of a car, then Bill was the heart of the garage. His friends and customers knew they weren't just getting a repair; they were getting a performance, complete with a side-splitting one-liner and a story that might be true if it wasn't so hilariously implausible.

 Bill's interests were as classic as a '57 Chevy. Fishing and camping were his go-to relaxation activities, but it was his guitar playing that really revved up the crowd. Strumming to the tunes of Hank Williams Sr., Bill could turn any gathering into a honky-tonk hoedown. Hits like "Hey, Good Lookin'" and "There's A Tear In My Beer" were his anthems, and he sang them with the same gusto he lived his life. 

 Handy, friendly, and funny—three words that scratch the surface of Bill's well-loved character. He could fix your car and your mood with equal skill, a trait that made him a cherished figure in his community. Bill's sense of humor was as reliable as his wrench, and he lived by the motto that "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy fishing gear, and that's kind of the same thing." 

 As we say goodbye to Bill, let's not forget the man who could turn a wrench and a phrase with equal ease. He's now tuning engines in heaven, where the roads are golden, and the fishing spots are always biting. Bill, you may have left the garage, but the memories and laughter will echo under the hoods of our hearts forever. Keep on playing that heavenly guitar, and save a spot for us in that eternal campground. We'll bring the bait. 

 A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later time. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.