William Commadore Goodwin

William C. Goodwin, 81, of Merritt Went to be with his Lord on Saturday March 17, 2018 at home with his loving family by his side.

William was born on November 2, 1936 in Pontiac, Michigan to Commadore and Mary (Parker) Goodwin. William grew up in the Pontiac area where he attended school. For his final two years of high school William was nominated by his local Congressman George A. Dondaro to be appointed as a page in the United States Congress. William got the appointment and loved the chance to participate in the political process he enjoyed studying in school. Upon his completion of three years with Congress he received his high school diploma signed by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served as a page during the Puerto Rican Nationalist Shooting in the Congress Chambers on March 1, 1954 where nine congress members were wounded. He is seen on a cover photo, of the Time, helping carry wounded congress members, along with other pages, to awaiting ambulances outside of congress. His eyewitness interview of the attack is in the archives of the United States House of Representatives. William went on with studies at Wayne State University. He worked as a cash register sales and service person for National Cash Register. William later started his own Sales and Service Company in the Detroit Area. On October 4, 1958 in Pellston, William was married to Jane Ellen Nichols. William was active in the First Baptist Church of Troy before the couple moved to Merritt in 2006. The couple where heavily involved in the ministries at Camp CoBeAc where the couple also served as the rifle range instructors for 11 years. William was a member of Houghton Lake Baptist Church. He enjoyed the outdoors especially deer hunting. 

Surviving Mr.Goodwin are his loving wife of 60 years, Jane Ellen Goodwin of Merritt; two sons, Matthew (Lisa) Goodwin of Rochester, and Shaun (Cynthia) Goodwin of MD: eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Thomas of New Baltimore; and several nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lorin, Wayne, and Lee. 

Funeral Services for William C. Goodwin will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday  March 27, 2018 from Camp CoBeAc, 4925 South Reserve Road, Prudenville, Michigan with Pastor Michael Harding officiating. Interment will be in Butterfield Township Cemetery, Merritt. Visitation will be held on Monday  March 26, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Camp CoBeAc.  Memorial contributions in memory of William are asked to be directed to Camp CoBeac, 4925 South Reserve Road, Prudenville, Michigan  48651. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com 

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