William "Bill" A. Papendick

William "Bill" Allen Papendick, age 98, of Houghton Lake passed away on Wednesday February 5, 2025 at Grand Blanc Fields Assisted Living with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born on August 11, 1926 in Flint, Michigan to Allen and Amanda (Force) Papendick. He served in the US Air Force during World War II. Bill worked as a mainframe computer operator in the Buick Motors Division. He was married on September 13, 1947 in Flint, Michigan to Jacqueline Kronberg. The couple moved to Houghton Lake in 1985 after they retired. Jacqueline preceded him in death on April 28, 2000. He later married Jean Watkins-Riedel in March 2001 in Houghton Lake. Bill a member of Houghton Lake Global Methodist Church, Houghton Lake American Legion where he served as an historian. He was awarded the Tip-up Town Hometown Hero in 2020. Bill enlisted in 1943. He started active duty in the Army Air Force from early 1945 to late 1946. He then served in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1946 to 1949. In the Army Air Corps, Bill went to welding school to weld aircraft and his specialty as a Tabulating Machine Operator. He then went on to combat duty in California flying over the Pacific Ocean looking for Japanese submarines. He volunteered much of his time to a variety of Veterans events, such as the selling of the "poppies", helping with BINGO for the American Legion. He belonged to the Buick Club of America and you could find him at a variety of car shows. Bill enjoyed staying busy and spending time outdoors.

Bill is survived by his children; Allen Papendick, Annette Elde, and Angela (Kevin) Maynard, granddaughter; Christel (James) Neuendorf, step-children; Colleen Gray, William Riedel, Anjanette (Kevin) Ingersoll, and  several step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jacqueline in 2000,  wife; Jean in 2020, siblings; Lucille, Martin, Robert, son-in-law; Robert Elde, step-children; Gregory Riedel and David Riedel.

Memorial Service will be conducted at Houghton Lake Global Methodist Church with Rev. Kevin Harbin officiating on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at 11 am. The family will greet friends at the church on Wednesday May 21, 2025 from 10 am until the time of the service. Interment will be in Denton Township Cemetery. Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com

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