William ""Bill"" Northup

William Everett Northup
June 3, 1942 — May 28, 2020

William (Billy, Lucky Bill, Wild Bill) Northup was born in Petoskey, Michigan on June 3, 1942. He grew up in Boyne City, Michigan as one of five children. He loved to share stories of his happy life growing up around beautiful Lake Charlevoix. Many of these stories involved his love for his family and of fishing and sports, especially basketball. The family moved to East Detroit (now Eastpointe) when he was a teenager, but his heart remained in Boyne City. He graduated from East Detroit High School in 1960, but frequently attended Boyne City High School reunions.

Bill was often called Lucky Bill. He may have given himself this nickname! He always seemed to have an optimist's outlook. One of the reasons he considered himself so lucky is his experience in the US Marine Corps. After high school he knew he wanted to fly. He was on his way to find a recruiter and was ""invited"" inside the Marine Corps Office as he was passing by. He aced their tests and was sent straight to flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was proud to earn his wings as a Naval Aviator. After flight training, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC and his first helicopter assignment was in Hawaii. He then served in Vietnam 1965-1966 and flew 274 combat missions and received 13 air medals. He returned to California where he served as a flight instructor at the Santa Ana Marine Corps Air Facility until leaving active duty in 1967. He received his Bachelor's degree from Cal State Fullerton. He stayed active in the USMC Reserves until the late 1980's and retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Bill raised his three children with his wife Cody in Brandon, Florida in the suburbs of Tampa. Bill had other careers, but retired as owner of Northup Tire in the commercial truck tire business. He definitely worked hard, but always found time for fun. Basketball was his first love and at 6 foot 4 and 250+ pounds, he was quite a force on the recreational basketball courts of Brandon well into his late 40s. After his basketball time slowed down, golf became a passion and he was the holder of two hole-in-one trophies! He passed on the love of sports to his two sons, who were extensively involved in basketball, baseball, and golf, which made him very proud. He also loved his Florida life with lots of beach time, fishing, and camping. When he wasn't outside, he was always first in line for a good meal, Louis L'Amour novels, and John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies.

Bill met his second wife, Barbara, at the golf club community where he had settled for his retirement. They loved dancing, Fox News, and their dogs. Barbara took great care of Dad through his recent health and memory problems and they had a happy life together until her passing March 14, 2020. Bill relocated to Colorado in April 2020 and spent precious time with his family until his peaceful passing on May 28, 2020. He will be remembered with affection and is survived by two brothers, Murray (Jan) Northup and Mike Northup, his children Cheryl (Erik) Helsing, Chris (Suzann) Northup, and Ric (Katrina) Northup as well as his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Murray Northup Sr, mother Edna Northup May, stepfather Richard May, brother Nels Northup, and sister Nancy Northup. A family visitation will be held on Monday, June 1st at 12pm. A future date will be announced for a service with full military honors at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone moved to do so please make a donation to The Marine Corps League (identify Lt. Col. William E. Northup, USMCR Retired)

""The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail…"" –Louis L'Amour