BARRETT - William J. Barrett, 82, of Comstock Park, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2013. Bill was a child of Chicago, a graduate of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, a Fighting Irishman and a visionary. A Korean War veteran, he headed the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, the Alpine Township Planning Commission and the Comstock Park Public Schools board, a district from which his five children graduated - a lawyer, a postal executive, a teacher, an engineer, and a banking executive. They are his greatest legacy. Bill graduated from Notre Dame in 1953, earned his master's degree from Grand Valley State University in 1980, and was a marketing manager for American Seating Company until he retired in 2001. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Furniture Hall of Fame. There was no political discussion he could not engage, and persuade. He was, simply, the smartest man we ever knew. And he is deeply missed. Bill is survived by his loving wife, of 60 years, Mary Lynn (Evans) Barrett; beloved children, Nancy (Tony) Rettinhouse, Joan (Richard) Heffelbower, William J. Barrett Jr., Julia (John) Barnes, Ellen (Scott) Bauman; precious grandchildren, Timothy Barrett, Benjamin Rettinhouse, Eric McCarty, Rebecca Warner, Michael Barnes, Tyler Barnes, Katie Barnes, Brian Barnes, Elizabeth Bauman, Ethan Bauman, and Jack Bauman; eight darling great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anne Barrett; sister, Joanne Barrett. The family will receive visitors at the Beuschel Funeral Home, 5018 Alpine Avenue from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 5, 2013. The celebration of Bill's life will be offered on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at Heather Hills Retirement Village. A private interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery, in Des Plaines, Illinois. Those who wish to make a donation, please consider contributions to the Comstock Park Education Foundation, P.O. Box 67, Comstock Park, MI 49321.