Obituary for William LeRoy Lanz

William LeRoy Lanz, age 89, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, April 16, 2022. He was born on December 9, 1932 in Orange Township, Ionia Co. Michigan the son of Max A. and Zelda E. (Riggs) Lanz. He married Marian Lucille Fineout at the First Baptist Church in Portland after graduating together from the Portland High School Class of 1951. They were married for 43 years, Marian passed away in January 1995. Bill began working at Oldsmobile at the age of 18 and continued to become a Gage Inspector Instructor nationwide for General Motors. He retired on March 1, 1988. He later married Millie Jensen and she preceded him in death. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, attending the First Baptist Church in Portland, fishing, deer hunting with his buddies, playing softball, golfing, gardening, mushroom hunting and walking on the Portland River Trail. He even made several trips to South America assisting his brother, Max Lanz, Jr. with his mission work as well as being a blood donor since 1949. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Eleanor (Floyd) Potts, Max (Louise) Lanz, Jr., and David Lanz; in-laws, Joseph Gwilt, Charles Tasma, James Cotter and Linda Lanz. Surviving are his children, Phyllis Jean (George) Helm, Phillip Eugene Lanz, Timothy James (Mary Ann) Lanz, and Cynthia Lucille Cotter; 19 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; siblings, Mary Tasma, Joyce Gwilt, James (Bethel) Lanz and Robert (Loretta) Lanz; many nieces and nephews. Religious services will be conducted by Pastor Gary Coleman at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 21, 2022. Interment will follow at Keefer Cemetery in Lyons. The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m., Wednesday at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in memory of Bill. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.