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William Tazwell Sledd III

1935 - 2017

William Tazwell Sledd III obituary, 1935-2017, East Lansing, MI

BORN

1935

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

1730 East Grand River Ave

East Lansing, Michigan

William Sledd Obituary

William T. Sledd III

East Lansing

William Tazwell Sledd III was born on August 25, 1935 in Murray, Kentucky.  He is survived by his daughters Luanne (David) Price and Jane Sledd; grandchildren Laura (Andrew) Hartnett, Courtney (Tim Bell) Leavitt and Justin and Kyle Watkins as well as great-grand daughter Colette Hartnett.  Also surviving are Bill's significant other Judith Morrigan and former wife Margery Clark-Lewis.  He also has left behind his 3 beloved cats; Hot Shot, Bubba and Thomas. 

Dad received his doctorate in Mathematics from The University of Kentucky and moved to East Lansing to teach at MSU for over 40 years.  Our father loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, canoeing and bird watching.  He threw an annual Kentucky Derby party where he enjoyed the company of his friends and family, and shots of bourbon.  Dad could recount details from every baseball game he attended and he belonged to the Hannah Center Chess Club.  He loved living his life to the fullest and his Parkinson's Disease diagnosis devastated us all.  He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

A service to celebrate his life will be held at the Red Cedar Friends Meeting House on Saturday, July 15th at 2 pm - 1400 Turner St., Lansing, with a gathering at the Peanut Barrel in East Lansing to follow.  Bottoms up and Let's Go Fishing!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal on Jul. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for William Sledd

Sponsored by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.

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5 Entries

Glenn Worthman

August 11, 2017

Just saw a picture of a sled and it had me wondering whatever happened to my old math prof from 1973, Bill Sledd? I'm sorry to hear that he's so recently passed on. I still remember his voice and accent. Hope he'd be proud that I'm using what he taught me - writing, editing, and reviewing math materials.

Dennis Gilliland

July 17, 2017

Professor Sledd was a tremendous teacher, who cared deeply about his subject and students. I was fortunate to have taken courses in real analysis and functional analysis from Professor Sledd in 1962-63. His rigor and love for mathematics came through in those classes from the then very young professor. His example and teachings served me well.

Helene Kokesh

July 14, 2017

Jane, Kyle and Justin -

We are so sorry for the loss of your father/grandfather. He appeared a brilliant man who lived an active life no matter what. Remember him for his knowledge, experiences and time you had with him. Memories are everything.

Thinking of all of you - Helene, Alex, Calum and Palmer

July 14, 2017

Jane and Family,

We are all sorry for the loss of your dear Dad. From all accounts, he was an active and fun man who loved his family and his pets. Its clear to see how much you all cared for him. We are all thinking of you during this difficult time.

"The heart, like the mind, has a memory. And in it are kept the most precious keepsakes."

- Your GM Family

Erin Brennan

July 8, 2017

A good man is one who will endure day-after Christmas sales at the mall, ensuring his granddaughters would get just what they wanted from Grandpa...To Luanne, Jane, Laura, Courtney, and all family and friends-- to quote Winnie the Pooh-- "How lucky you are to have something [or someone] who makes saying goodbye so hard."

All My Love for Your Strength,

Erin Brennan

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Memorial Events
for William Sledd

Jul

15

Service

2:00 p.m.

Red Cedar Friends Meeting House

1400 Turner St., Lansing, MI

Funeral services provided by:

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823

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