William C Blanton

William was born October 14, 1944 to Paul and Ruby Watson Blanton. He was the second oldest grandchild of the Blanton and Watson families of Gary, Indiana. While growing up, William enjoyed running track and hanging out with friends in the neighborhood. He attended Mizpah Elementary Seventh-Day Adventist School and later went on to graduate from Froebel High School in 1963. William attended Indiana University Northwest for two years. William enjoyed people and especially young people where he became a track coach for the Gary School System.
William was employed by Gary Steel Mills, Gary Water Corporation, Gary Methodist Hospital-Edgewater Department and Niles Community Schools. Wherever he worked, he was known for his humor and kindness. William was a volunteer driver for the Niles Senior Center. He also sang with the Senior Center community choir when they performed for local nursing homes at Christmas and for the Veteran / Independence holidays. A big part of his adult life was singing with the Koinonia Choir. He and Gordon always kept the choir laughing by telling jokes about the bass section being the best. He was most happy being with his wife Adrienne and daughter Heather and sharing his love for God with his grandchildren. At family gatherings, he made sure to connect with his family, often in the form of laughter, silly stories (such as pinky Lee) and philosophical conversations.
To know William was to know you had a companion for life. He made sure that everyone in his presence was loved, included and made to feel special. He was the type of person that would go the extra mile for anyone, often lending rides, lawn equipment, his car, or any of his other possessions to help someone when in need. William can best be described as feeling like a "big warm hug" wherever he went. He was kind, loving, caring, passionate, and always on the move.
But perhaps, what he will most be known for, is his eternal love for his family. Whether it was joking with his daughter, chasing his grandchildren around the house, enjoying quality time with his wife, or coming together with his sister, brother-in-law, nephews and other extended family, he always shined the brightest when with them.
William was a deeply loved and cherished man, who leaves behind a huge hole in his family and friend's hearts. No one could ever replace the memories, joy, and laughter that he brought with him wherever he went. However, we can all rest a little easier knowing that he is asleep and resting and waiting on the promises of the Lord where there is no more pain, no more sorrow and no more sickness. There he rests until that great day when we all will be called up into the clouds of heaven to join him for an eternal time of laughter, joy and endless love.
William is survived by his wife Adrienne Blanton, daughter Heather Howson, grandchildren: Makayla Howson, Micah Howson, and Jackson Aldendifer. Sister-in laws, Doris Martin, Janice Andrews, Valerie (John) Cole. Brother-in-laws, Rodney Andrews, Haywood (Lisa) Andrews. Nephew: Peter (Bonny) Smith. Cousins: Brian (Rita) Biggs, Byron (Luberta) Biggs, Donna Ross, Ray Armand, Brenda (Clyde) Keizer, Herman Watson, Douglas Watson, Vonnie Marie Batiste, Play brother Tony Boyd and special family friend, Walter Collins. He also leaves behind grand nieces and nephews too numerous to name as well as other relatives and dear friends.
Visitation for William will be on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:00am with a Memorial Service to be held at 11:00am at Niles Philadelphia SDA Church, 33332 US-12, Niles, MI 49120.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.
Photos, condolences, and memories may be left for William's family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com