William Richard “Bill” Tyson died peacefully at the age of 91 February 4, 2026 in Traverse City, Michigan, surrounded by his wife Carole and daughter Anne.
Bill was born to the late Edwin Lloyd “Ty” Tyson and Catherine Lukenbach Tyson in Detroit, Michigan May 21, 1934. Bill grew up in Grosse Pointe and graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School before attending Hillsdale College.
As the son of former Detroit Tiger radio announcer Ty Tyson, Bill briefly worked in local television including directing Romper Room but soon found his passion to be the car business. He loved people and telling stories and was an exceptional salesman before becoming the general sales manager at Tamaroff Buick in Southfield and moving to Birmingham, Michigan with his family.
From there he proudly opened his own dealership in Coldwater Michigan in 1979. After eventually selling Tyson Buick Chevrolet, “Mr Bill” worked for Bobilya Chrysler Dodge until the age of 90. His family is incredibly grateful to Dean Bobilya for allowing Bill to maintain his passion for so many years!
He absolutely loved joking with the tellers at the bank, the salesmen, the hardworking guys in the service and parts departments as well as the office managers up front. It made every day special for him.
Bill loved his baseball playing days in the “Bat and Bottle” league, bowling league, golfing at the Coldwater Country Club, Rotary Club, and the Elks Club. He was a huge Michigan football supporter and an avid Lions and Tigers fan!
His days as captain aboard his pontoon boat “Mr Bill” are all great memories. He loved taking friends and family down the river and to his favorite spots for dinner and drinks. There was always time for a “vodka on the rocks” with a stuffed olive (that he would bring from home) so long as there were “no sticks, no straws and no fruit”.
Most of all, though, he loved his wife Carole and their marriage of 69 years! Their trips are all highlights but the annual week or two at the Banyan in Key West was his favorite! He loved Schooner’s Wharf Green Parrot, Captain Tony’s and Willy T’s as well as Virgilio’s and the time he spent with Carole at the pool and hot tub. They also loved Saugatuck with their friends.
He was an amazing father to Lisa, who was taken way too soon, and to Anne and Scott. He also truly adored every minute he spent with his grandchildren. During time off he took friends to their appointments, was active with the Relay for Life cancer walks, and always supported St Jude Children’s research hospital.
Bill is survived by his incredible wife Carole Diane James Tyson, and daughter Anne Tyson both of whom took fabulous care of him until the end. His son Scott Tyson. Daughter-in–law Jennifer Wolf Tyson, Brother-in-law Chris James, Niece Catharine Kelley, Three fantastic grandsons Justin Thompson (Roxy), Joshua Thompson(Kara) and Brian Tyson. Two amazing granddaughters, Courtney Tyson and Jenny Scholten (Brad). Great grandchildren Jordan, Kasey, Jack, Noah, Suzie, and Luke.
He is predeceased by his beautiful and brilliant daughter Lisa Montgomery Tyson, his parents Ty and Catherine Tyson, his sister Virginia and sister-in-law Sheila James Hawes, and son-in-law Larry Thompson.
Although there is no service planned, please take the time to perform an act of kindness, tell a fun story about Bill and make someone laugh today, in his honor. That is all that he would have wanted. In lieu of flowers those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation to St Jude Children’s research hospital. https://www.stjude.org
Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. The family is being cared for by Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.
Bill worked with my dad at Armstrong Buick . It was quite a surprise when I ran into him in Coldwater! He looked at me and said, oh my gosh, Frank Donahue’s daughter! I ran the switchboard in the summertime in high school😊. I’m sorry to hear this, Carol. Peace for you and your family.
Carol Hodson