William “Bill” Eaton III

William Edward “Bill” Eaton III went to be with the Lord on May 15th, 2026. He was born July, 5th, 1947 in Petoskey, Michigan. Bill was the first of four sons born to William Edward Jr and Winifred Eaton (Ulrich).

Bill attended St. Francis Xavier School in Petoskey through the 8th grade and then went on to Petoskey High School where he graduated in 1965. He was a proud Northmen and told stories about playing football and former classmates throughout the entirety of his life.

Following high school, he committed to service with the United States Air Force and moved to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training. Following basic training, he transferred to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado for specialized training before he was ultimately stationed in Aviano, Italy as a munitions specialist during the Vietnam War.

Bill met the love of his life, Jeanne Bergmann in 1965 while “cruising” downtown Charlevoix. When he left for the Air Force, the two remained connected for 3 years through letters and the brief visits he was able to make back home when he was on leave. Jeanne graduated from Charlevoix High School in June of 1968 and immediately boarded her very first airplane and flew to Aviano, Italy to be with him. They were married two months later, on August 3, 1968.

Bill and Jeanne returned to the United States in 1971 after Bill was honorably discharged from the Air Force. They lived for a few years in Petoskey before building their forever home in Charlevoix in 1976.

Bill worked for Dave’s Boots, Montgomery Ward, and Penn-Dixie Cement Plant, before taking on an apprenticeship through Ritt Electric. Following his electrical licensure, Bill started his own business, Eaton Electric in 1984 which he owned and operated for more than 20 years. After turning over the business to his son in 2008, Bill worked as an electrical inspector for Charlevoix County through 2010 and then part-time as a bus driver for Johnson’s Busses of Petoskey from 2012-2023.

Bill and Jeanne had 5 children, Michael Robert and William Edward IV both born in Vicenza, Italy, and Melissa Lynn, Brad Andrew, and Amanda Renee all born in Petoskey after he was discharged from the Air Force. They have 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Bill was led by faith and a proud Catholic parishioner. He has been a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Petoskey, St Mary’s of the Assumption in Charlevoix, and most recently, St Matthew’s Catholic Church in Boyne City. His faith was always a priority and always a guide and his dedication to service and worship never wavered. Even when he was no longer able to drive, it remained a priority, even if that meant watching Sunday mass on the television.

Bill was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie and the service being a Knight provided.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, wood working, gardening, mowing the lawn, and any sort of tinkering he could dream up. He also enjoyed being a part of the Charlevoix Flying Club in the early 2000s and riding his motorcycle later in life. Bill had many hobbies, but there was nothing he loved more than watching his children and especially his grandchildren’s athletic events. He and Jeanne attended every event they could and both are well known in both the Charlevoix and Boyne City Communities.

Bill is preceded in death by his son Michael Eaton, his father William Eaton Jr, his mother, Winifred Ulrich, stepmother, Cleo Eaton, and brothers, Michael Eaton and Thomas Eaton.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanne Eaton, his children, William Eaton IV (Nicole), Melissa Archey (Phillip), Brad Eaton (Kristin), Amanda Bush (Joshua), his brother, Ronald Eaton (Mary) and 12 grandchildren and great grandchildren; Jennifer Archey, Elizabeth Moore, Jacob Archey, James Eaton, Karlee Eaton, Kaden Archey, Sidney Bush, Hunter Eaton, Sadie Bush, Cole Archey, Zander Bock, and Ronan Bock.

Service: A funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 1303 Boyne Ave, Boyne City, Michigan on June 5, 2026. Visitation at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at 10:00 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am. Luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be given to the Charlevoix Commission on Aging. 

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com