William G. Baetz, a retired 50 year employee of the Ford Motor Company and a WWII veteran, died Feb 8, 2000, from complications of diabetes and kidney failure.
He was born Apr 6, 1920, in Detroit, where his father was a proprietor of Baetz Brothers men's clothing and shoe stores.
After graduating from Western High School in Detroit, Mr. Baetz began his career at Ford in 1938 as a student at the Ford Apprentice School. He was trained as an electrician, and during the first years of WWII he worked at the ford Rogue Plant wiring machines for war production.
Mr. Baetz joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 and served in the 20th Air Force on Tinian Island in the South Pacific. he was the top gunner in a B-29 bomber named the Yucatan Kid and survived more than 20 bombing missions over Japan and two crash landings.
After the war, he resumed his career at Ford and was with the Obsolescence Prevention Department in Dearborn when he retired in 1988. His work took him to Ford plants all over the United States and Canada.
Mr. Baetz, a Livonia resident, is survived by daughters, Judi Kulchar of Livonia, Patricia Baetz of San Rafael, CA, Christine McCool of Kalkaska and Cheryl Heijl of Traverse City; son Randall Baetz of Clarkston; brother Frederic Baetz of Dearborn; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services were Feb 12 at the Harry J Will Funeral Home in Livonia.
Memorials may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 21789 Independence, Southfield, MI 48076.
