William P. Sloat

William (Bill) P. Sloat, 70, died May 15, 2016, with his family by his side in his home in Johannesburg, MI

He was born May 3, 1946 to Victor and Jane (Vanaerman) Sloat in Ovid, MI.  His father ran a small dairy farm and worked for GM.  His mother was an at home mother until her last child graduated, at which time she became a nurse.

Bill graduated from Ovid High School in 1964. He attended Alma College, where he met and married Anita Parvin. He graduated in 1971 with a degree in Sociology and minors in Psychology and Political Science.  He and Anita returned to Ovid to raise their family, where they opened and operated the local newspaper, The Maple River News.  After selling the newspaper, Bill helped open the Chesaning Currier, and then later worked for Frank Pauli Ford in St. Johns.  The family later moved to Petoskey, MI where Bill worked for the Petoskey News Review in advertising sales.

Bill and Anita divorced in 2001, and Bill made his way back to Ovid to work for the Meridian Weekly. During that time, he also worked as a superintendent for his son-in-law’s commercial rehab business.  He met Linda Hardman, and they were married in 2004. Although they moved to Johannesburg, Bill continued to write and edit for the local newspaper, where he had a regular column, The Gadlfy.

Mr. Sloat is survived by his wife, Linda (Hardman) Sloat; his brothers, Robert (Cindy) Sloat and Rick (Betty) Sloat; two children, Shandra (Paul) Bremer and Jason (Katie) Sloat; his step-children, Trent (Kate) Walling and Trisha (Eric) Ballard; his 5 grandchildren:  Nicholas, Beau and Robbie Bremer, and Ella and Thea Sloat; his 4 step-grandchildren:  John Walling, Samantha Brown, and Jared and Jacob Ballard; and his step-great grandchild, Angel Ballard.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ben Sloat.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Ovid VFW Hall in Ovid, MI 48866.

Donations may be sent to Linda Sloat at 3196 Coolwater, Johannesburg, MI 49751.

Please share your memories or personal messages with his family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com