lliam Samuel Bushnell, 65 of Rapid City, died on May 25, 2007, after a seven month battle with lung cancer. The son of Harvey and Blanche Bushnell, Bill was born in Buffalo NY, on September 12, 1941, and spent most of his life as a resident of Birmingham, Mich.ÊHe was a proud graduate of Culver Military Academy, attended Lehigh University, and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Detroit.ÊHe married Margaret Jeanne Panter in 1963.ÊTheir first child, Kimberly, was born a year later, followed b y their son, William in 1967. Bill began his career in the steel business while attending night school at U of D; his boss, Ian Kiltie, had to lie about his age before Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation would hire him.ÊKiltie would become a major influence in Bill's life.ÊBill remained at Allegheny Ludlum for over thirty years, interrupted briefly by a five year period in the mid-1970s, when he went to work for his brother-in-law, William Busch, at HavenBusch Steel Company in Grand Rapids.ÊReturning to Allegheny for the remainder of his career, Bill retired in 2001 as a regional manager.Ê Retirement suited Bill.ÊHe and Peggy built their dream house on Elk Lake.Ê He was a volunteer instructor for Inland Seas, sang in the Elk Rapids Community Choir, and played saxophone in Northwestern Community College Band.ÊHe also volunteered at the Music House in Acme.ÊAn avid golfer, Bill was a regular with the Shanty Creek Men' golf league and enjoyed his last round of golf last fall on the Famed Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.ÊHe also loved to sail and cherished several bareboat charters with his family. Retirement also enabled Bill to give back to his church and his community.ÊHe was a trustee for the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids where he was instrumental in getting the church involved with Eagle Village,Êa treatment and resident facility for abused, neglected, and delinquent children.ÊHe delivered Meals on Wheels in Antrim County and built countless homes with Habitat for Humanity and Freedom Builders.ÊA perfect day for Bill consisted of splitting firewood with his grandchildren and donating the proceeds from each cord to First Presbyterian Church. Bill is survived by a large and loving family: his wife, Peggy; daughter, Kimberly (Brad) Welch; son, William Jr. (Marilee) Bushnell; four grandchildren, Samuel and Natalie Welch and William and Katherine Bushnell; mother-in-law Helen Panter; Brother-inlaw's Robert (Jo Ann) Panter and Richard (Glynda) Christian-Panter; Nephews, David, Steven, and Richard Busch; and Nieces, Jennifer Collins, Cindy Lardie, and Juliet Christian-Smith.ÊÊ We'll miss you laddie! A Memorial Service will take place for Bill on Thursday May 31, 2007, at The First Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids at 1 p.m.Ê Rev. Dr. Daniel Herlein will be officiating the service.Ê In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Eagle Village, 4507 170th Ave., Hersey Mich., 49639. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home www.reynoldsjonkhoff.com in Traverse City. Please sign the online guest book at www.legacy.com