Bill Brightwell

Joel William (Bill) Brightwell stepped into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 30, 2025 at the age of 103. Bill was born on October 17, 1922 in Tennessee but grew up in Detroit. He served in the Army during WWII obtaining the rank of Sgt in the 82nd Airborne Division. After the war he married the love of his life, Bonnie Long, in October of 1946. He worked for General Motors Corporation after the war and retired from the company after a long career.
Bill is survived by his daughter Nancy (Kennedy) Baughman of Madison Heights; son, James (Carol) Brightwell of Northville; five grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie, in 2012.
There was a private family service and burial on December 6th.
There will be a public memorial service on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at GraceWay Bible Church (formally Highland Park Baptist Church), 28600 Lahser Rd, Southfield, MI. at 11:00 AM with visitation an hour earlier at 10:00 AM.
Arrangements through Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Global Mission Fund at GraceWay Bible Church, 28600 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI 48034 OR to Compassion Evangelical Hospital, P.O. Box 870, Southfield, MI 48037.