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William Fairgrieve Obituary
Bill was born in Lakewood, Ohio on March 29, 1952, to William Robertson Fairgrieve and Ruth Louise Nielsen. He attended Miami University (Ohio) and Western Michigan University where he earned his master's in social work. Bill married Mary Margaret Collins on August 14, 1976, at the Sesquicentennial Chapel on Miami University's campus in Oxford, Ohio.
Bill worked for several social services agencies in Lansing, Michigan including Michigan League for Human Services and National Council on Alcoholism Michigan chapter. Bill served as Medicaid budget specialist and later deputy director at the Michigan House Fiscal Agency. After 15 years working for the State of Michigan, he retired in 2009 and moved to Onekama. Continuing the theme of service to his community, Bill volunteered to serve as treasurer for the Portage Lake Association and for the Sunset Point Condo Association. He enjoyed golfing with his wife and son at Crystal Mountain and with the "Romeos" group at various courses in the area. He was an active runner and cyclist. He was an avid reader and member of the Lakeshore Men's Book Club. Bill was successful in tracing his family heritage on both of his parents' sides and enjoyed travel to Scotland twice as well as hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Bill loved music and attended many Cheap Trick concerts, hanging out backstage with his cousin, guitarist Rick Nielsen. Whenever he walked the shores of Lake Michigan, Bill sought out heart-shaped rocks to give to his wife, Mary, amassing a sizeable collection of these small signs of his boundless love.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Fairgrieve. Leaving to honor and remember him are his wife Mary, his son Andrew (Carolyn Blood) and grandson Franklin, as well as his sister Anne Thompson; sisters-in-law Catherine Collins, Jean VanOss (Mark) and Tina Larson; brother-in-law J. Michael Collins (Kathy); nieces Jess, Kate, Jeanne, Becca, Maureen, Emily, Karin, Ellie, and Kristin; nephews Kevin, Timothy, John, Ben, and Justin.
Donations in his memory can be made to:
Alzheimer's Association – Greater Michigan Chapter (call 248-351-0280, Tu/Th 10am-3pm) or Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org/donate)
Celebration of Bill's Life will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 2-5pm at Farr Center, 5283 Main Street, Onekama, MI
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Fairgrieve
6 Entries
Vernon Smith
February 25, 2026
If there is anyone I ever worked with who was more highly regarded, respected and trusted than Bill Fairgrieve, I don´t know who that could have been. It was a pleasure to know him, and I grieve his passing. Sincere condolences to his family.
Nicholas J Sarakatsannis
February 23, 2026
Bill was my college roommate for four years. After graduation he moved to Michigan and I stayed around Cincinnati. We never got together over the next 52 years but my memories of Bill and Mary have come rushing back. Mary, I know you did your best taking care of Bill these final months. It had to be hard then, and hard now. He is sleeping with the Lord now. God Bless.
Sue Frey
February 18, 2026
I am very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was my boss and team member for 10 years at the House Fiscal Agency before he retired. It was a great privilege to work with him, he was a hard worker and a good manager as well as positive and kind. It was always great to see him when he stopped by in later years. I will always remember him. My condolences to Mary, Andrew and his family, of whom he often spoke with great love.
Chris & Mike Gravlin
February 16, 2026
While traveling for Hurricane Ike duty with the Red Cross we met a young lady at the airport in Cincinnati. She was also a Red Cross volunteer. She knew about Onekama Michigan because She had an Uncle and Aunt who were building a new house there. Her name is Jessica Fairgrieve, and she became the connection to our meeting Mary and Bill. This was in 2009. Bill and Mary were easy to know and very easy to like.
We enjoyed many wonderful times together. Sharing our interests in reading, talking about travels, hiking, and dining.
Bill attended our Kentucky Derby parties even when Mary couldn't join us.
He was a gracious host at the Downton Abbey Finale Party.
Mary hosted a Royal Wedding Party for some local women. I will always remember Bill meeting us at our cars, walking us up the drive, and seeing us into the room, wearing formal attire. (This was very early in the morning).
He was a good sport and played many roles at parties. He even brought his guitar and provided entertainment and singing back up.
He will be missed and always remembered.
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Chuck Schroeder/Karen Heine
February 15, 2026
We met Bill and Mary at a Road Scholar bike trip in Wisconsin almost 12 years ago and have been friends ever since. He was such a kind, caring man. He´ll be greatly missed.
John & Diane Wemlinger
February 15, 2026
Diane and I met Bill and Mary just after moving to Onekama in 2013. We've dined together. A great memory was the Downton Abby dinner the two of them hosted at their beautiful home. We played golf together. Bill was a "sleeper"; a slight build, quiet, but he'd always surprise you with the great drive, long approach shot, or the delicate chip.
In 2015, when I was laid up healing from retinal reattachment surgery, and Diane was working, Bill and Mary would come over, administer my endless string of eye drops, and then take Sydney, our much-spoiled border collie, for her walk.
We are heartbroken at Bill's passing and will forever miss his gentle smile.
Mary, we are sorry to miss Bill's service, but trust we will be in touch when we get home.
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