Warren Frederick Challis

Warren Frederick Challis was born in Detroit on February 26,1927 and raised on Lakewood Street. After graduating from high school, he began a 41-year career with Detroit Edison. Warren started behind the light bulb exchange counter and, after earning his electrical engineering degree from Wayne State University in 1964, rose to a senior engineering position. One of his final projects was leading a team of engineers in the selection, programming, and installation of computer systems at the Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant.

Warren met the love of his life, Shirley Smoots, on a blind date, and they married in May 1949. The couple settled in a newly built home in Harper Woods, where they raised three children who cherish fond memories of family gatherings and annual camping trips across the United States.

Following retirement and a move to Sterling Heights, Warren and Shirley enjoyed trips to Hawaii, a train journey through the Canadian Rockies, and annual winter stays in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Together, they shared a love of golfing, gardening, and woodcarving. They celebrated 58 wonderful years of marriage until Shirley's passing in 2007.

As a widower, Warren remained active and engaged – faithfully attending weekly Bible study, taking organ lessons, and serving on the counting team at Christ Lutheran Church. At age 90, he adopted his beloved rescue cat, Gracie, who is now 21 years old and will dearly miss him.

Warren was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley; his parents, Elsie and Tracie; his brother, Raymond Challis; and his sister, Irene Hunsinger. He is survived by his three children, Larry (Cindy) Challis, Dave (Carol) Challis, and Elaine (Jim) Farquhar; seven grandchildren- Jedidiah, Jessica, Tracie, Melissa, David, Zachary, and Leigh; and eight great-grandchildren- Joel, Joshua, Lailaa, Malik, Brayden, Izzy, Abby, and Adalyn.

The family is deeply grateful to God for Warren's long, healthy, and faith-filled life. We rejoice that his prayers have been answered as he reunites with the many family and friends who went before him.

To God be the glory!

Instate will be on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 12pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 1pm at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 375 Lothrop Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236. Interment at Glen Eden Lutheran Memorial Park East, Macomb, MI.

Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com