Ronald “Billy” Wogoman, 80

Published 9:49 am Monday, April 1, 2013

Born: Aug. 6, 1932

Died: March 30, 2013

Ronald “Billy” Wogoman, 80, of Niles, passed away at his residence on Saturday, March 30, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.

Wogoman

Wogoman

Billy was born on Aug. 6, 1932 in Niles to the late Harry E. and Mildred (Thompson) Wogoman.

On June 18, 1955 he married Nancy L. Shoemaker at a ceremony in Niles.

Billy proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked on the railroad for many years before he became a mechanic and retired after many years from the Board of Public Works in Niles.  When Billy wasn’t working he could always be found in his garage tinkering with a lawn mower or car engine.  He was also a lifetime member of Papasan-Mamasan Korea Veterans Association and a member of the American Legion Post 26 for over 50 years.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Nancy Wogoman in 2006, two brothers Irvin and Richard Wogoman and a sister Ella Jean Lloyd.

He is survived by five daughters; Cynthia (Daniel) Phegley of Casper, Wyoming, Tina (Dave) Spurlock of Niles, Sheila (Ronny) Oakes of South Bend, Debra Short of Berrien Springs and Pamela Hawkins of Niles, 24 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren with two more on the way and siblings Charles Wogoman of Niles, Jimmy (Marcie) Wogoman of Bristol, Ind., Roger (Paula) Wogoman of Arizona, Joyce Tiekle of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Shirley (Harold) Wise of Edwardsburg and Katherine (Coleman) Scott of Niles.

A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Hope Community Church. Committal services with military honor guard will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in Billy’s memory to Hospice at Home, Inc. 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085 or Hope Community Church at 2390 Lake Street, Niles MI 49120.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family or upload a photo of Billy may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.