Arthur J. "Bill" Fisher

Arthur J. "Bill" Fisher, age 92 of Midland, died Wednesday morning July 31, 2013 at Bickford Cottage. The son of the late Ralph and Zelda (Johnston) Fisher was born in Midland on April 8, 1921 where he was raised and educated. Bill served his country as a captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the president of Fisher Contracting in Midland founded in 1957 and founded and owned several businesses with his two brothers; the three were recently inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame as Distinguished Constructors. Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church were he was involved in many church activities, one of the founders of the Chippewa Nature Center, a founding member of Dahlia Hill with Charles Breed, help organize the planting of petunias on Eastman Ave, and was very involved with the Salvation Army. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Northwood University, was awarded the Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Club, the Book of Golden Deeds from the Exchange Club, and inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

Surviving is his wife of 71 years, the former Bette L. Graves of whom he married on August 20, 1941 in First United Methodist Church; daughters, Catherine (Lewis) Webster, Janet Fisher-McPeak all of Midland; brother, Ralph "Bud" (Virginia) Fisher, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant; sister in law, Geraldine Fisher of Midland; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, James O. Fisher; sisters, Mary Ellen Shepherd, Ruth McCollister, Nelly Jean Lanphar.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday August 3, 2013 from the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home with the Reverend Dr. Charles Keyworth and Reverend Dr Raymond H. Haselhuhn officiating. Interment will follow in Midland City Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials maybe offered to Northwood University and the Salvation Army. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com