William Pacelli

William M. Pacelli

Eaton Rapids

William  M. Pacelli of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 3, 2015 in Venice, FL at the age of 88. Bill was born in Chicago, IL., July 8, 1927 to Willian and Agnes Pacelli. He attended St. Michael Church and school in Chicago. Bill was drafted into the Army in 1945 and served in the Phillipines. He married Doris Gutsmiedl in 1952 and they have 6 daughters. Bill attended the Radio Institute of Chicago under the GI Bill and worked as an announcer at WAAF and WCFL in Chicago. He and his family moved to Texas to continue his radio career as announcer and sales manager for station KHUZ. There he did play-by-play for local sports. The family moved back to the Midwest and he was hired as a salesman for WISM in Madison, WI. He then transferred to Lansing as sales manager for WITL and did play-by-play football and basketball for MSU, using the radio name, Bill Clark. Bill worked for WITL for 32 years retiring at age 70. He was a member of the Lansing Rotary Club and was elected president in 1984. Bill also volunteered at the Lansing General Hospital Foundation, served with the Lansing Chapter of the Red Cross, was president of the Lansing Ad Club, and was a guest lecturer on Radio Advertising at MSU, Pepperdine U., Aquinas College, Davenport College, and Lansing Community College. He received the Silver Medal from the Lansing Ad Club, the Toastmaster International Achievement Award, and many other awards and honors. In 1988 Bill wrote a book on Radio Advertising Sales, "The Game Plan". Over 1000 books were sold across the country. Bill also had a theatre career including 10 years performing with the Social Security Scandals in Lansing, and 12 years with the Silver Fox Follies in Venice, FL., and also served as their president.

Bill never saw a stranger, but a potential friend, and always brought smiles and laughter to those around him. "My greatest satisfaction in my job was to employ young, earnest employees and to watch them grow and succeed in their future careers".

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris Pacelli; daughters, Doris (Don) Crews, Patricia Pacelli, Marcia Griffes, Cindy (Gil) Weber, Jeanne (Jim) Pankow, Tina (Mark) Moronell; 15 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

A Funeral Mass will be at St. Peter Catholic Church on Thursday November 12, 2015 at 11 am with interment at Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids on Wednesday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with a Rosary prayed at 7 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service.  Those desiring may make memorial contributions in Bill's memory to St. Peter Catholic Church, 515 E. Knight St. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or the Lansing Rotary Club, 417 Seymour Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Please visit our website to place online condolences or to sign the guest register, www.shellyodell.com.