KENDALL, WILLARD C.

Willard (“Bill”) Kendall, 82, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, passed away on Sept 11, 2021, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born to parents Willard and Eunice Kendall on February 3, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. Bill graduated from De La Salle High School and received undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of Detroit. His career was in education. It began in the classroom as a teacher, then later evolved into college administration. For many years he led the Employee Relations Departwhere, ment at Oakland University, as the adminhe istration’s labor contract negotiator, earned the unoficial title of ''Mr. Reasonable''. He married

Janet, the love of his life, in 1968. She survives him. Bill is also survived by son Curtis, daughter Carrie and spouse Tom - as well as grandchildren Patrick, Zoe, Christina, Alicia, Anthony and James. Bill was known for his active lifestyle. He was a runner, a tennis player, a golfer, a cross country skier, and in his later years, an avid fly fisherman

(an activity enriched through combination with his love for dogs, in particular his Chocolate Lab and constant companion “Orvis”). Throughout his life, he maintained a consistent dedication to fitness

and healthy habits – but suffered a persistent latenight susceptibility to ice cream, direct from the carton. Bill was also a person who cultivated an enduring intellectual curiosity - and could speak with familiarity on a broad range of topics. He had a remarkable vocabulary, a knack for nuance, and a subtle sense of humor. However, Bill’s strongest attributes were grounded in his character: he was honest and a hard worker; he was fair and loyal; he was kind, and generous, and ever loving with those dear to him. An open itinerary memorial reception will be held on Saturday, September 18, 1-5pm at the Rochester Bistro, in Rochester MI. Family and friends are invited to stop in and share some moments and memories of Bill with his survivors. The family requests that, if inclined, people make donations to the Salvation Army, in lieu of sending flowers.