William "Bill" Leeroy Downard

William LeeRoy Downard, age 93, was called home by his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 14, 2026, at home surrounded by his family and reunited in heaven with his loving wife Julia. He was born on February 24, 1933, in Tontogany, Ohio to the late Cecil and Nora (Withrow) Downard. In 1950, he joined the United States Air Force where he met Julia Mae Truitt while stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, CO. On November 20, 1955, he married her in Anniston, AL. William served all over the world throughout his military career, including Upper Heyford RAF, England, K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI and Thule Air Base, Greenland. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1970, he continued to serve for another 23 years, as a civilian. William spoke often of his time in the Air Force, regaling family and friends with stories. He loved animals, watching westerns, researching his genealogy and solving puzzles, any kind of puzzle, especially jigsaws. William was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Gwinn, MI. Above all, William was a family man. He loved his family and would do anything for them. William is survived by his daughter, Joy Layer, Holland, MI, son, Robert (Kelly) Downard, De Pere, WI, grandchildren; Christopher (Ashley) Downard, Freedom, WI, and Amanda Downard, great grandchildren; Stefan, Isaac and Ezekiel. He is further survived by his brothers in law, David (Jacqualine) Truitt, TX and Clarence Truitt, AL, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife, Julia, daughter, Lynda Downard, sister, Juanita (Kenneth) Cutchall, brothers; George (Betty) Downard, Cecil (Eleanor) Downard, Donald (LaMoine) Downard and Alvin (Victoria) Downard. William is also preceded by his sisters in law, Margaret (William) Harrison and Alice Truitt. 

Services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Holland Baptist Church, 906 E 24th St. Holland, MI 49423. Visitation will begin at 11:00am with a service to follow at 12:00 noon.

Please visit www.cotterfuneralhome.com for online condolences. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Elks National Veteran Service Commission at 2750 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL 60614-2256. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to his VA provided caregiver and companion Kurt W, and Unity Hospice for the wonderful care and companionship William received.