William Hudson

William “Bill” Lewis Hudson, age 86, of Michigan and formerly of Fort Madison, Iowa, died Monday, June 2, 2025, at Memorial Healthcare Hospital, Owosso, Michigan. 

He was born June 18, 1938, in Portland, Indiana, a son of Chester and R. Katheryn (Caster) Hudson. On Feb. 14, 1995, he married Ferol Leonhard at the Santa Fe United Methodist Church, Fort Madison.

He was dedicated to his career at the GM Powertrain Flint V8 plant for over 40 years and retired from his supervisor position in 1997. He and Ferol enjoyed traveling and spent many winters RV-ing in Arizona. He was of the Methodist faith. 

Bill was gifted in mathematics, which aided him with the woodworking, building and construction projects he completed throughout his life. He enjoyed mentoring others and was a patient teacher. Most recently, he learned woodcarving and created beautiful, precision carvings that were second to none. They generated offers from strangers, yet Bill preferred to give them to friends and family. 

As a boy, he dreamed of learning to fly. In the 1970s, he earned his pilot’s license and became part-owner of a Cessna 182 airplane used for business and pleasure. 

He is survived by three children from his first marriage, Jill (Steve) Pitts of Birmingham, Alabama, Janna Hudson Birchmeier of Owosso, Michigan, and David (Marie) Hudson of Frisco, Texas; two stepsons, Shawn (Karla) Leonhard of Hamilton, Illinois, and Jeffrey Leonhard of Dallas City, Illinois; six grandchildren, Taylor Birchmeier, Ashtyn Prater, Kyle Leonhard, Jasma “Nikki” Schwieterman, Cody Leonhard and Colbi Peterson; 12 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Alice (Keith) Lehman of Portland, Indiana, John (Leona) Hudson of Blissfield, Michigan, and Ruth Stephenson of Portland, Indiana; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ferol; son-in-law Doug Birchmeier; and stepson, Mark Leonhard.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. am Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Barr Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will follow and begin at 11 a.m. at the Barr Memorial Chapel with Pastor Padma Templeton officiating. Private burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison. 

For those wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider the American Cancer Society. 

Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Hudson family, and an online guest book may be found at barrmemorialchapel.com.