William Roger "Bill" Schafer

William "Bill" Roger Schafer, 90, of Bark River, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Bill was born on September 27, 1935, in Lansing, Michigan, to William Gaylord and Frances Josephine (Smith) Schafer. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1954 and soon after proudly answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army. As a heavy equipment operator, he developed skills that would shape the rest of his working life. He was honorably discharged in 1959.

Following his military service, Bill became a crane operator and worked on construction sites throughout the state of Michigan. He was employed by Brown Brothers Construction in Lansing, where he was eventually promoted to supervisor. Bill was a proud member of the Operating Engineers union for more than 40 years, Bill took great pride in his work and the friendships he built along the way.

On May 24, 1980, Bill married the former Janet Mae Domanski on his farm's baseball diamond in St. Johns, Michigan. True to Bill's unique spirit, after the ceremony the newlyweds took the lead in Bill's 1929 fire engine forming a precession with classic cars and motorcycles rolling out for a celebration only Bill could pull off, thus beginning a marriage filled with laughter and adventure. Shortly after their wedding, Bill and Jan moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where they built a life together at a property they loving named 'Ponderosa in the Pines' and then eventually retired to the 'River Property'. They were blessed to share more than 45 wonderful years together.

Bill loved his home and property on the river. He could often be found fiddling with his collection of old cars, sitting on the deck quietly watching wild life and the water flow by, or riding his four-wheeler through the woods, clearing fallen trees and feeding the deer.

Some of Bill's favorite things were rummage sales, hunting, a good glass of Jim Beam and water, and visiting with the people he cared about. He had a special fondness for sweet treats, and the bakery at Elmer's offered many of his favorites. Bill had a gift for finding treasures-if you needed a tool, he likely had two of them, and if by chance he didn't, he would find one at a rummage sale before long. He loved fixing things and took pride in being the person others could count on when something needed repair.

Bill was known for his endless jokes and quick wit-you could always count on him for a laugh. He enjoyed telling stories, challenging people's mental sharpness, and keeping everyone on their toes. He was honest and told it like it was; you never had to wonder what he was thinking. Predictable in the best way, Bill lived by a schedule and somehow managed to keep his family in line with steady consistency and love.

Above all, Bill cherished time spent with family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Janet; his son, William Schafer Jr.; step-sons, David (Sandra) Aaron and Jeff (Shelly) Cantrell; his son-in-law, Bryon Branstrom; grandchildren, Jason (Kia) Branstrom, Julie (Chad) Rudden, Andy (Nicole) Branstrom, Amy Schafer, and Ashley Aaron; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Jacquelya Mae Millard; four nieces; and several cousins.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his children, Lori Branstrom and Jeff Schafer; and his siblings, Joyce Walter, Raymond Schafer, and Jolene Schafer.

A celebration of Bill's life will take place at a later date. He will be laid to rest at West Ford River Cemetery.

Messages of condolence can be directed to the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Home is assisting the family.