William J. Lane Jr.

William " Bill" James Lane Jr. of Johannesburg, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday April 13, 2018 at Aspen Ridge Assisted Living in Gaylord.  Bill was born on September 8, 1948 to Retha Maves and William James Lane in Petoskey.

Bill lived with his family in Boyne City, where he attended Boyne City High School. After high school he joined the Navy in 1967, where he was stationed on the U.S.S. Forrestal until 1969. After serving his country, Bill started working in the oil field on the oil rigs.  The first company was Cedco Drilling Company.  Bill traveled all over the state of Michigan working on the oil rigs. On July 11, 1981, Bill married his best friend and love of his life, Mary Summerland of Johannesburg. The couple started building their family home in 1983 in Johannesburg.  Bill continued to work in the oil field as a Lease Operator for BreitBurn Management for the last 10 years until 2017.

Some of Bill's hobbies included hunting for morels with Mary and salmon fishing with his kids in the U.P and Boyne City.  Bill was always perfecting his recipe for smoked salmon; the aroma from the smoker filled the house in the fall.  Loving on and playing with his grandchildren and watching NASCAR and boxing. He recently started forging and making knives.

Bill is survived by Mary,  his wife of 36 years; his children, Lisa (Kenny) Tabaka of Gaylord, Amanda Lane of West Branch and Harley Lane of Johannesburg; grandchildren, Courtney and Danika Brewer and Carly and Lucas Tabaka;  his sister, Pat Payer of Muncie, IN;  nieces, Chris Jones and Ashley Black; nephews, Willie Payer, Chris King and Trevor Switalski; sisters-in-law, Elaine Webber and Sena Black; brother-in-law, Merle Summerland; mother-in- law, Shirley Summerland and many cousins, along with his best bud and furbaby,Dude.

Bill always had a corny joke to tell, a movie quote for you to try guess or a wild and crazy story he'd tell his children and grandchildren. The story always got bigger and crazier with each telling.  Bill will was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life service will take place 2:00 PM Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Life Church with Pastor Steve Scheer officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to Life Church.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com