William Bortz

William Ray Bortz, age 81 of Battle Creek, died Sunday, January 9, 2022. He was born March 20, 1940, in Portage, Wisconsin the son of Clayton W. and Irma M. (Blystone) Bortz. Bill graduated high school in Portage and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force for seven years, eight months and sixteen days. He retired from AT&T where he had worked for 34 years as a switching equipment technician. Bill loved to play basketball, and enjoyed working on cars, tractors and computers. He married Sally Mae (Lane) in 1963 and she preceded him in death on May 15, 2016. He was also preceded by his parents and one brother James Bortz. Bill is survived by seven children: Debra Richardi, Randy (Connie) Crusciel, Lori Bortz, William (Susan) Bortz, Jr., Mari (Scott) Newling, Susann Bortz and Brett (Sarah) Bortz; twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; two sisters: Marianne (Thomas) Tomlinson and Donna Olson and her significant other Ross Porter; one brother Robert Bortz and his significant other Laura; many nieces and nephews and his dog Buppy. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Richard Weesner of Garrison Hills Wesleyan Church officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  The family requests memorial contributions be directed to the V.A. Medical Center Activities Fund. www.henryfuneralhome.org