William Gerald Goward, 90, a lifetime resident of Lapeer, died Saturday, July 24, 2021. Bill was born May 6, 1931, perhaps one of Lapeer’s smallest individuals arrived at home on Court Street; 3 months premature and weighing in at 1 ½ pounds. His parents Gerald and Fern (Haskill) Goward shared in Dr. Best’s amazement at the survival and progress of this little person. Because of the ingenuity of his Uncle Myron building a homemade incubator and the 24 hour care provided by Grandma Haskill and Aunt Nellie’s hourly feedings with an eyedropper survive he did ! At one month he weighed 3 pounds ! From a baby to early teens Bill made his home with Ma & Pa Goward on Angle Road remembering well the days “before electricity in the country”. Bill with Pa Goward as his companion learned many skills that served him greatly throughout his life. As a small boy he helped Pa set traps and run the trap line daily; a lifetime hobby developed. As a young person he had a natural love of nature. His folks bought him his first camera at the age of 12 and Bill began capturing nature and wildlife on film. Many films made and shared in Michigan with various organizations, churchs, and schools for several decades. Next to trapping Bill developed a real love of football in high school. Bill was very proud to have been part of Lapeer’s 1948 State Championship team. Bill still has a congratulatory note from Paul Smarks reading in part “It couldn’t have happened to a better boy !” Paul Smarks, Grace Taylor and Miss Pendleton were teachers, mentors and positive influences in Bill’s life. Bill and Shirley Kitchenmaster married young and raised their family on the river with it’s many joys and challenges. Years before student loans Shirley and Bill assisted their eldest son, Rick through six years of college; his basis for his career in music with Henry Ford College. Bill and Shirley shared the endeavors of each child and their small grandchildren: Janice, Erin, Emily, Mike, Cari and Reggie. Bill lost Shirley to Lupus. Bill joined the General Motors force upon graduating in 1950. He entered the apprenticeship program for electronics at Buick Motor Division – he retired 30+ years later. For years Bill filmed sporting events for Lapeer Schools. He was a faithful lifetime member of the Lapeer Lions Club for decades. Bill’s mom Fern was the connecting link for Bill and Betty as Fern and Betty resided in the same park in Florida - she initiated their meeting. She was Bill and Betty’s “best lady” matron at their January 1, 1987 wedding. Bill and Betty’s decades together were filled with the joy of more loving family members to love and cherish. Bill added loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, special nieces & nephews and beautiful friends. Bill would say “I have had a most wonderful life.” He often said and his last words to Betty were, “I love you honey, thanks.” Bill and Betty were blessed for a quarter of a century at Calvary Bible Church under the guidance of Pastor Arnold Bracy and Pastor Peter DeKlerk – such a blessed time. Bill is survived by his children: Rick (Andi) Goward (& family) of Dearborn and Lisa (Dick) Schwerin (& family) of Tustin. He will greatly missed by his beloved wife, Betty Goward; second beloved family : Dean & Mary Montgomery (& family) of North Branch, Deb & Alamn Cross (& family) of Gagetown, Darlene Severn (& family) of Lapeer and Darrell Montgomery (& family) of Page, AZ. Bill is also survived by many very special nieces & nephews and beautiful friends who added so much to his life. Bill was preceded in death by Pa Goward; daughter, Denise Owens; son, Tracey Goward; 1st wife, Shirley (nee, Kitchenmaster) Goward and his aforementioned parents. As Bill and Betty’s little plaque reads, “Look for the Angels in your life – they are everywhere.” Betty added, "“To each and every Angel in our lives Bill and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our greatest thanks to our great neighborhood and Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer” Memorial contributions may be made to the WWII Veterans’ charity of your choice. Visitation will be 2-8PM Thursday, July 29, 2021at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. Bill funeral service will be held 11:00AM Friday, July 30, 2021 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. Bill’s family will receive friends from 10-11AM the morning of the service. Pastor Drew Jolly will officiate. Final interment will be in Stiles Cemetery next to his beloved Shirley. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer. Condolences and memories may be left at www.MuirBrothersLapeer.com. Bill left the arms of his wife into heaven’s gate naturally - just as he and Betty pledged to each other they would.