Dr. William L. Beauregard

Dr. William Lionel Beauregard, 92, of Troy, MI passed away on January 6, 2025.
William "Bill" Beauregard was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 1, 1933 to Rose (nee Feron) and Gaston Beauregard. Bill was the couple's second son, following Jacques "Jack." Brothers Gaston "Beau" and Robert "Bob" joined the family soon after. The Beauregards were a blended family - Rose, English-speaking and of Irish descent and Gaston, bi-lingual and French Canadian. Rose, though small in stature, commanded respect from her four boys, who were the center of her life. Gaston ran the family business, Queen Mary Provisions, a grocery store he started with Rose, best known for their quality meats and home delivery of groceries. Starting at age 5, Bill began working at the store measuring sugar and other dry products. Later, Bill and his brothers worked for their Dad preparing turkeys at Christmas time and delivering groceries to customers' homes.
Bill talked very fondly of his childhood, especially his years on Patricia Ave. where the neighborhood dads built an ice rink for endless hours of hockey. As Rose and Gaston prospered, they built a cottage on Lac l' Achigan in the Laurentian Mountains that became a gathering place for family and friends. Bill helped his father build the cottage, learning carpentry and other skills at his side. Summers were filled with swimming, sailing, and shenanigans among the brothers. Bill's parents stressed the importance of education and they lived near the schools their sons attended. Bill graduated from Loyola High School in 1950 and later Loyola College in 1954. A good athlete, Bill played football and hockey at both schools, earning induction into the Loyola College Sports Hall of Fame. He then attended McGill University where he received his medical degree, fulfilling his mother's dream of having a doctor in the family. It was during medical school while working the night shift at St. Mary's Hospital that Bill met a nurse, Margaret "Marg" (nee Baxter), who became the love of his life. The couple married on July 28, 1956 and after Bill's graduation from McGill in 1958, they moved to Flint, MI with their first-born child, Donna, in tow. After completing a one-year rotational internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Flint, MI, the young family moved to Detroit where Bill completed a four-year general surgery residency at Mt. Carmel Hospital. During these years, Bill and Margaret welcomed their daughters Barbara and Susan to the family. As required by their U.S. visas, Bill and Margaret returned to Canada for two years during which time Bill completed a residency in pathology at Princess Margaret Hospital, a center for cancer treatment and research in Toronto, Ontario. William John, the couple's son, was born during this time, completing their family.
After Bill received a preceptorship in colon and rectal surgery in Detroit, the family returned to the United States where he became a citizen in 1965. He started a thriving medical practice in Royal Oak, MI, Oakland Colon and Rectal Associates, and established the fellowship in Colon & Rectal surgery at William Beaumont Hospital (now Corewell Health). He was chief of the Department of Colon & Rectal surgery for many years and served on hospital administrative committees. As a respected leader, he held key positions at the national, state and local level of various professional associations. Even as his professional reputation and success grew, he remained forever humble, often giving credit to his loyal office staff, many of whom remained with him for years.
Bill's patients, staff, and colleagues admired and appreciated his skill, respectfulness, and integrity. He combined professional excellence with a compassionate and empathetic bedside manner. Known for his friendly, cheerful and positive disposition, being in his presence just felt good. He was a patient man and good listener who knew just what to say in those difficult moments.
Bill was a devoted family man who cherished his wife Margaret of 68 years. They were best friends and true partners in life, raising their children together and leading the family by example. Spending time with family was Bill's favorite past-time. He shared his passion for skating with his family by building backyard rinks, water hose in hand laying new ice, often in the bitter night cold. Despite his long working hours, Marg made nightly family dinners a priority. Conversations were lively as current events were debated. Bill shared stories from his day that exposed his children to the joys, sorrows and complexities of the human condition, teaching empathy and kindness by example. Guests to their home came from diverse backgrounds and cultural traditions, enriching and informing family life. With cheerful reminders that it was "primetime," Bill encouraged his kids to complete their daily homework. And each morning, he roused his young crew to the new day cheerfully singing various tunes including, famously, Irving Berlin's "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning." Ever the surgeon, memories of him teaching his children to carve a grapefruit using three sharp tools, put smiles on their faces.
He and Marg were very involved in their grandchildren's lives, attending their events, supporting their aspirations and often being that trusted second ear for them. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with them, for instance, drawing an anatomically detailed heart and explaining each part's function; or, in keeping with his orderly nature, demonstrating how to neatly mow the lawn in a zig-zag pattern. Summer barbecues, celebratory family meals, and floor hockey games in the courtyard were a blast. There were cherished years with the kids and grandkids at their cabin in Glen Arbor, MI. Time on the boat, kayaking the Betsy, sledding in winter, hiking and biking were favorite activities. Bill nurtured and supported his family, giving them wings to chart their own paths.
Bill remained youthful well into his senior years and remained curious about the world. He and Marg traveled extensively both domestically and internationally often taking their children and grandchildren with them. But it was Bill's enthusiasm for life's simple pleasures that was contagious - a beautiful sunset or sunrise, walks with the dog, the smell of freshly baked bread (a hobby of his), a blooming tomato plant, and an energetic rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" at birthday celebrations.
Friends and family often turned to Bill during stressful and difficult times, trusting his judgment and leaning on his strength. He was generous with his family and supported local cultural, educational and religious institutions that uplift the community and provide opportunities to future generations.
Bill was truly an exceptional human being. In the Jesuit tradition, he was A Man for Others, who made a difference in this world. His family will love him forever and they will remain forever grateful for his presence in their lives. Until we meet again
Bill is survived by his loving wife Margaret of 68 years. Dear father of Donna (Ron Eng), Barbara, Susan, John (Corrine). Beloved Papa of grandchildren Janette (Russ), Chris (Wynne), Mike, Jacqui (Andrei), Krissi, Kaleigh and great-grandchildren Callie, Hailey and Campbell. Brother of Gaston (late Rita), late Jacques (late Heather) and the late Robert (Carole).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pope Francis Center, 438 Saint Antoine St, Detroit, 48226 or Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, 48207.
Funeral Service:
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Chapel at the Academy of the Sacred Heart
1250 Kensington Rd, Bloomfield Hills
Visitation from 10am-12:30pm in school parlor
Mass of Christian Burial in the Chapel at 12:30pm
Enter from Kensington Rd and follow the sign towards the Chapel. Enter school at the West Entrance. Parking is available in the adjacent North lot.
Memorial tributes to Pope Francis Center, 438 Saint Antoine St, Detroit, 48226 or Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, 48207.