May 8, 1918 — Nov. 1, 2015

Billy Rotzien, 97, of Buchanan died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home.

Billy was born May 8, 1918, in Holmes, Indiana to the late William & Laura Koloswinski Rotzien. On June 29, 1940, in South Bend, Indiana he married Rose H. Boggs, who preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2006, after 66 years of marriage. He is survived by a daughter, Diane (Rotzien) Gentry of Bay Shore, New York; a son, William A. (Meryl) Rotzien of Lake Zurich, Illinois; four grandchildren, Beth Pettus, David Gentry, Christopher (Andree) Rotzien and Jonathan Rotzien; and two great-grandchildren, James Pettus and Patrick Pettus.

Billy and his wife Rose owned and operated the former Dayton Lake Grocery. He was employed at South Bend Lathe where he worked as a machinist, and he retired from C & S Machine Products in Buchanan in 1982. Billy served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and this past May he was recognized by Buchanan American Legion Post 51 for having been a member for 70 years. He was also a member and past Commander of the Galien American Legion Post 344, a member of the VFW, and served as a volunteer fireman with the Bertrand Twp. Fire Department. Billy enjoyed Michigan deer hunting and Canadian moose hunting with his family and friends. He was much loved and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4th from 4-8 p.m. at Swem Chapel, where services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by Buchanan American Legion Post 51 and Galien American Legion Post 344. Memorial contributions may be made in Billy’s honor to Buchanan American Legion Post 51, 403 E. Front St., Buchanan, MI 49107. To sign his guest book or leave a condolence message please visit our web site at www.swemchapel.com.