Guillermo "Bill" Velazquez

Velazquez, Guillermo "Bill" - Age 93, of Goodrich, passed away surrounded by family on February 23, 2024. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 28, 2024  at St. Mark Catholic Church, 7296 Gale Road, Grand Blanc.  Interment at Beth El Memorial Park in Livonia. Visitation services will be held from 9:00 AM until the 10:00 AM Mass time at the church on Wednesday. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center,  6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc. Those desiring may make contributions to the Humane Society of Genesee County.

Guillermo was born January 13, 1931 in Chihuahua, Mexico, the son of Joaquin and Esther (Villalba) Velazquez. Guillermo came to the United States by train at the age of 18. When he first moved to Detroit he was a dance instructor and taught at various dance schools, which is where he met his wife Farah. The two married in 1959; she preceded him in death in 2011. He had worked for People's Outfitting and State Samples in Detroit. He then owned and operated Galaxy Furniture Company in Detroit and Farmington before retirement. 

Additionally, he and Farah were members of the Detroit Yacht Club, and was also the president of the Optimist Club. He loved hockey, especially the Detroit Red Wings, and was a member of the Oak Park Hockey Association. He enjoyed watching the hydroplane races on the Detroit River with his sons and grandson. Bill appreciated the outdoors, especially when rollerblading and bird watching. 

He was a great community leader in many Latin neighborhoods in Detroit. As someone who was loved by many, he was also an incredible family man, and will be missed by all. 

He is survived by three sons, William "Butch" (Sandy) Kaiser, Herb Kaiser, and Guillermo "Gary" (Elsie) Velazquez; grandchildren, Steven Luck, Jennifer (Todd) Knowlton, Jason Kaiser, Sarah (Ryan) Sherwood, Rachel Kaiser, Alexis Velazquez, and Jessica Velazquez; great-grandchildren, Henry Sherwood, Lilly Desmond, Vivienne Desmond; cousin, Irene (Dale) Reynolds.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Farah; and three brothers, Jesus, Jorge, and Mauricio.

Tributes may be shared on his obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.