William "Bill" Smrekar

Cadillac - William Matthew Smrekar, of Cadillac passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Wexford Senior Care Center. He was 91.

Bill was born on April 26, 1934, in Cadillac, MI to Frank and Catherine (Kobe) Smrekar.  Growing up in the area, Bill became a graduate of Cadillac High School in 1952 and was a team member of the1950 State Champion Football Team.  Shortly following high school, he was employed as a Design Technician for the Michigan Department of Transportation for 40 years until he retired.  Bill was part of the team that received Parade Magazine's annual award for "America's Most Beautiful Highway". The highway was Northern Michigan's I-75 from Indian River and south.   Bill was married to Patricia (Henwood) Smrekar on  July 12, 1958, by Msgr. Callahan at the old St. Ann Catholic Church location on Oak Street.  Together the couple raised five children and celebrated over 63 years of marriage, before the passing of Patricia in 2022.  Bill was a member of the National Guard for eight years.  He was a ski instructor at Caberfae for many years and was President and a Board Member of the Caberfae Ski Club.  He also coached CASA baseball, softball and football for many boys and girls.  He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and former Knights of Columbus member.

William is survived by five children, Jeffery Smrekar of Cadillac, Marcie Litt of Boyne Falls, Susan (Paul) Maciag of Irons, Lynda Allemong of Gaithersburg, MD and Laura Smrekar of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Brayden and Colton Allemong; siblings, Mary Ann Stilwell, Agnes (Pat) and Kenneth (Ken) Lambert, Delores (Dee) and Robert (Bob) Meyer; Margaret Weaver; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents; and siblings; Lawrence (Jim) and wife Grace (Thomas), Geraldine (Gerry) and Kenneth Uptegraft, Clarice and William Brehm, Francis (Dutch) and Marion (Cass), Joanne and Kenneth John, Janet and Gregory Matthews; brothers-in-law, Merle Stilwell and Terrance Weaver.

 A Memorial Mass will take place at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Cadillac at 11am on Friday October 10, 2025, with visitation one hour prior.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.com.     The family is being served by Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.

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