William Dennis Whelan

William Dennis "Wild Bill" Whelan
October 19, 1957 - September 28, 2025
Everyone in Milford knew him simply as Wild Bill.
Born in California on October 19, 1957, Bill was the third oldest of ten children to Harry and Christine
Whelan. Though he was born on the West Coast, his heart and spirit were shaped on the streets of
Milford, Michigan.
Bill graduated from Milford High sometime in the late 70s, maybe not with his class, but most certainly
with class. He was proud of that.
He was the proud father of two children, Cristal Marie and William "Buck" Whelan, both of whom
passed away at a young age, along with their mother, Lorrie LaRose.
From an early age, Bill was a blur of motion. His older brother Mike would say, "I could never catch
him, even when we were kids." He ran like the wind, delivered papers, mowed lawns, and spent
countless hours along the Huron River. He was always on the move, full of life and energy.
Bill had a big heart and found great joy in his work as a mason, spending his years laying brick,
stone, and concrete. He saw beauty in what he built and left pieces of that beauty all around town.
In the last decade of his life, Bill enjoyed spending his winters down South, dividing his time between
Mississippi and Texas. He loved the warm weather and the people he met along the way.
Rules were perhaps a good idea, but they didn't always apply to Bill the way they do to most folks.
Some say he danced to the beat of a different drummer, but truth be told, Bill was the drummer. He
was the band. And if he was on the dance floor, you'd best make some room.
You always knew when Bill was in the room. He never blended in, and he never wanted to. Strangers
might ask, "Is he for real?" The answer is yes, he was as real as they come.
We will miss you, Bill. You brought color, laughter, and life to everyone who knew you. We were all
given a gift in you. "May he rest in peace" doesn't quite capture it — heaven just got a whole lot
livelier.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 8840 North Milford
Road, Holly, Michigan. The gathering will be held outdoors, just as Bill would want, and of course,
lunch will be provided.