Cadillac Cheney

The love of my life, Bill , Billy, "Cadillac Willie" Cheney, 58, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2008 after a short and brave struggle with cancer. Cremation has taken place.

Bill was a talented musician, writer and Landscape Architect with a wonderful sense of humor! Together with his wife Mary, he designed and created East Torch Lake Nursery in Alden, MI, reflecting their love of perennials and conifers. Bits of Bill's spirit are scattered around in plants he raised and sold.

Cadillac Willie had a great passion of the Blues and his National steel slide guitar. He is now playing with Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Bill graduated from Charlotte H.S. in 1967. He attended Tri-State University in Angola Indiana (Acacia Fraternity), Eastern Michigan University and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in 1984.

Bill was preceded in death by his Mother, Loretta Cheney. Billy is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Mary (Overbey) Cheney, Father- Gordon Cheney of Charlotte, MI, Sisters Jane (Gerald) Cuendet of Sun City AZ, Sue (Robert) Ayotte of Charlotte and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be in Traverse City and Charlotte Michigan. Services in Charlotte will be on January 24, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church,210 E Lawrence. There will be a Wednesday evening family visitation from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Burkhead Green Funeral Home in Charlotte Michigan. Memorial services in Traverse City will be held Saturday, February 16th, at Eleven a.m. ath the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6726 Center Rd, Traverse City. Donations may be made to Munson Hospice, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse or Munson Hospice, 210 Beaumont, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.