William LeRoy Bixby, 73, of Silverbrook Avenue, Niles, died at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Michiana Christian Embassy, Niles, with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker, officiating.

A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

He was born on April 20, 1936, in Dowagiac, to William and Martha Bixby.
He has lived in this area most of his life.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Niles.
He was a laborer in the factory industry.

On Dec. 3, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis., he married Sandra (Berchem) Bixby, who survives in Niles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Martha Bixby.

Surviving family includes a son, Cody Bixby of Niles; daughters, Judy Holmes of Niles and Julianna Bixby of Niles; 11 grandchildren, Kathy Sly, Cory Sly, Courtney Holmes, Misty Lewis, Gregory Bixby, Jacob Bixby, Kadence Bixby, Jonathan Feece, Tyler Feece, Kailyn Long and Arielle Davis; two great-grandchildren, Nichole and Cameron Sly; and a sister, Maxine Hunt of Dowagiac.

Arrangements were by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.