William A. Ebbert

William Andrew Ebbert, dearest husband of Mary, beloved father of Jeanine (Bob) Essensa and Eric (Christy) Ebbert of Clarkston, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the age of 79. After several years of declining health, Bill died peacefully with his beloved wife Mary and their children by his side.
Bill was born in McMechen, West Virginia, on December 12, 1942, the only child of Robert and Katherine Ebbert, who preceded him in death. He attended Bishop Donahue High School, where he played basketball and began dating the love of his life, Mary Beatty. He graduated from Wheeling University in 1964 and married Mary on June 13 of that same year.
He began his career at Terex Division, and from there went to work at General Motors Central Office, then on to Flint AC Spark Plug and Saginaw Steering Gear. He earned his MBA from Michigan State University in 1979, and his son and daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law and grandson also all graduated from MSU, making them a die-hard Spartan family.
In 1991, he and Mary moved to England and he became Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors. Two years later, he became president of Delphi Asia Pacific and he and Mary began another new adventure together in Tokyo, Japan. He retired in April of 2000 to their home in Bluffton, South Carolina; and then decided to brave Michigan winters once again -- returning to Clarkston, Michigan in 2007 to be nearer their grandchildren.
Bill loved golf and was privileged to play some of the great courses around the world, including St. Andrew's Old Course in Scotland with his son, Eric and son-in-law, Bob. He and Mary travelled the world together, first for work, then for pleasure with their life-long friends from Grand Blanc, Michigan. He was a season-ticket holder for decades for MSU football and basketball and enjoyed many memorable tailgating weekends with family and friends. From the humblest of beginnings, Bill built an incredible life for himself and his family.
Bill is survived by his adored wife of 57 years, Mary; children Jeanine (Bob) Essensa and Eric (Christy) Ebbert; and grandchildren Josh Essensa, Isabella Ebbert, Ben Essensa, Brennan Ebbert, Jake Essensa, Grace Ebbert, Maddie Ebbert, Will Ebbert, Daniel Ebbert and Nicholas Ebbert.
A visitation for Bill is planned for Thursday, January 13, from 4 pm to 8 pm, with a 7 pm rosary. The visitation will be at the Modetz Funeral Home, Silverbell Chapel, 100 E. Silverbell Road, Lake Orion, Michigan. Bill will lie in-state at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (715 N. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion) on Friday, January 14, from 1:30-2 p.m., and a funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. There will be a private interment at a later date.
People wishing to honor Bill's lifelong commitment to family and community can make donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in his memory.