Billy Joe Boyer

Billy Joe Boyer of Cadillac passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at his home, holding the hand of his beloved wife. He was 69. Billy was born April 8, 1947 in Cadillac.\n\nHe worked at Rexair in Cadillac for 15 years before going back to school in 1987. He graduated from Northern Michigan College in 1990 with an Associate's in art and continued his education with a Bachelor's in Science from Central Michigan University. Billy then earned his Master's in Counseling from Central Michigan University and owned his own counseling practice for several years. He was a member of First Christian Church of Cadillac.\n\nBilly was a life- long learner and enjoyed gardening, reading, astronomy, technology and science fiction. Billy had a love of nature enjoyed waterfall hunting in the Upper Peninsula. He loved cats and had a particularly sweet cat currently, Annabelle. Billy was a survivor and did not let any type of setback hold him back from what he wanted to accomplish. \n\nHe is survived by his first wife, Mary Brown of Cadillac and their children: James (Lesley) Boyer of Copemish, April Drake of Cadillac, Scott Boyer of Cadillac. On March 23, 1973 in Cadillac he married the former Shirley K. Behl and she survives him along with their children: Joanne (Steven) Blackmer of Cadillac, Jennifer (Bill) DeWitt of Negaunee, Michigan, and Jill (Timothy) Davis of Cadillac; 20 grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; his mother, Alice Waters; siblings: Valerie, Merilee, Ira, Ethel, Gale; sister-in-law, Merry (Ronald) Boersma of McBain and several nieces and nephews. \n\nHe was preceded in death by his step- father, Donald Ashbay and a brother, Donald; grandmother, Elsie Peterson and a son, Daniel. \n\nFuneral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2017 at Peterson Funeral and Cremation Services in Cadillac with Pastor Earl Hocquard officiating. Friends may meet the family Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Manton. \n\nMemorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Billy Joe Boyer

April 8, 1947 - February 14, 2017