William H. "Bill" Petry II

William H. "Bill" Petry, II Lansing Age 68, passed away unexpectedly August 25, 2009. Born November 21, 1940 in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Bill received his Bachelors degree in mathematics from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH, and his Masters degree in mathematics from Boston College. Bill was a Professor of Mathematics at Lansing Community College for 36 years. His door was always open and he went above and beyond to extend his help and give every student the best chance for success. Bill was a tireless advocate for peace and social justice dating back to his participation in the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta, GA. He spent four years teaching in Micronesia as a member of the United Church of Christ Board Mission and volunteered for Crossroads Africa, teaching for two summers in Ethiopia and Kenya. Bill was a member of the Michigan Peace Team; Peace Education Center; the Lansing chapter of the United Nations Association; and the People for Positive Social Change. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He truly touched the lives of thousands of people through his giving spirit and constant generosity. Bill believed that each of us has the power and responsibility to create a better world-and this unwavering, passionate commitment carried through in his teaching, his social activism and in everything he did. He loved the outdoors and was an avid cyclist, spending many summer days biking around Michigan and beyond. He also sang in the MSU Choral Union. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Faith C. & William H. Petry, II, and his brother, Dwayne Petry. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Julia M. (Rahib) Petry; his son and daughter-in-law, Hisham and Lee Anne Petry. He extended warmth and caring to everyone he met and will be deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues both here and overseas. Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday with services 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 29, in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing with Fr. Peter Dougherty and Rev. John Powers officiating. Internment is at Deepdale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Michigan Peace Team or the Peace Education Center in memory of Bill. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.