William Lewellen

William R. Lewellen, 76, of Bellaire and Plymouth, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. Bill was born February 3, 1931, in Detroit, the son of Wendell G. and Hazel Hardsog Lewellen. He grew up in Birmingham and spent his summers in Bellaire. Bill received his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He received his MBA at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He spent 37 years in a number of management and executive level positions at the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. When he retired in 1990, he was the Assistant General Sales Manager, Service. He founded the Cadillac Museum in Detroit and is credited with a number of benchmark customer service programs, including the Cadillac Gold Key Delivery program and Roadside Assistance. Bill was also a member of the Cadillac LaSalle Club. He was known for his dedication, high standards for excellence, and was a great friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Millicent Chapman Lewellen. They were married on November 17, 1951, in Birmingham. Also surviving are three children; William R., Jr. (Barbara) of Arlington Heights, IL, Geoffrey R. (Kimberly) of Highland, and Julia L. (Edwin) Pietrowicz of Brighton and Bellaire; one brother, Donald R. (Carol) Lewellen of Bellaire and Westlake, OH, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wendell G. (Jane) Lewellen, Jr. The family will receive friends at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes on Friday, November 30, 2007, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mary Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire. Memorial donations may be made to the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility or The Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com .