William E. Dennis Jr.

William (Bill) E. Dennis, age 89, passed away in his sleep on November 18, 2025 at Candlestone Assisted Living in Midland, Michigan. Bill was born March 23, 1936 in Raton, New Mexico to William E. and Marjorie (Leake) Dennis. Bill was preceded in death by his father (1940), his mother (2009) and his daughter, Jill (2013).
Bill grew up in Mendon, Missouri; Fort Madison, Iowa; and Kansas City, Missouri.
He graduated from Central High School and attended Kansas City Junior College in Kansas City. Bill met his beloved wife and lifelong companion, Mary Little, while working a summer job at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Bill married Mary on August 13, 1955 in Shepherd, Michigan. Bill and Mary lived in Shepherd while Bill worked as a technician in the latex lab at Dow Chemical in Midland. As a father with three children, Bill returned to school in 1961 at Alma College. The chemistry faculty at Alma scheduled the advanced chemistry courses in the morning so he could continue to work at Dow. Bill received a B.S. in chemistry from Alma College in 1962 and a PhD in chemistry from Wayne State in 1966. Bill then accepted a research position at Dow Corning Corporation in Midland. Bill worked in many areas of DCC, including fiber optics innovation, until his retirement in 1998. Bill was a personable, gregarious man who especially enjoyed the friendship of his many co-workers and customers. Bill was very active in the American Chemical Society including, serving as local chapter President.
In retirement Bill and Mary enjoyed traveling throughout North America, Europe and Asia with friends, Jim and Sue Peters.
Bill's hobbies included golf, sailing, bicycling and bridge. He taught his family to sail in his Lightning sailboat named "Question of Balance." He enjoyed riding DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinac) and PALM (Pedal Across Lower Michigan) bicycle tours with his family. He belonged to a 50 Year Bridge Group which included: George Vogel, Gerry Cappo, Rudy Phillips, Tim Hueston, George Gant, Carl Woods, Ted Skinner and Sandy Berger.
Bill loved spending time along Lake Michigan with family gathering in Glen Arbor each year near where he and Mary met.
Bill had a great sense of humor and eclectic musical taste that ranged from opera, classical, jazz, country and rock. Bill's family called him Bear. He was an intelligent, playful, fun-loving spouse, father, grandfather and friend. He is dearly missed.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Dennis, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage; his children: Debi (Jack Markin) Dennis, Kathryn (Eric) Joffre, Jon (Pat) Dennis, and Kristin Wager; his grandchildren: Abraham Markin, Max Markin, Zach (Maura Cheeks) Markin, Kevin (Xinyi) Joffre, Dagny (Christopher) Beale, Leif (Erica) Joffre, Scott Joffre, Therese Joffre, Ruth Wager, Laya Wager, Naomi Wager, Paul Wager, Rosemary Dennis; and great-grandsons: Aster Beale and Shiloh Bear Joffre.
The family would like to thank Candlestone caregivers and Corsocare Hospice nurses, Keri and Amber for their loving care of Bill.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held 2:30pm on December 6, 2025 with visitation with family from 1:00 pm until time of service at Ware Smith Woolever, 1200 West Wheeler St., Midland, MI.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to Alma College and sent to Attn: Advancement Office, 614 W. Superior St., Alma, MI 48801.