Described as a quiet, upstanding guy, the Lake Orion Police and Fire Departments, Lake Orion Lions Club and the Orion community are mourning the loss of friend, colleague and all-around great guy.
William ‘Bill? Waldo passed away on June 14 at the age of 73.
‘The Orion area has lost one of the best public safety defenders in our history, be it serving as a police officer, fire fighter or as a Lions Club member,? said Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh. ‘Bill Waldo meant public service.?
Waldo first began at the police department in 1967 and, according to Narsh, he served in every capacity before retiring in 1995 as the department’s second-in-command, lieutenant.
In his time at the department, Narsh said Waldo influenced the way the department runs, and his influence and expertise in law enforcement is continually passed on today.
‘Bill Waldo retired as a cop, but his heart, his true love was fire fighting,? Narsh added. ‘As a cop or as a fire fighter, he defined the role, and earned the respect of everyone he came in contact with.?
According to Lake Orion Fire Chief Jeff Key, Waldo first came on board at the fire department in 1974, at one time serving as district chief until he retired from that position in 2002, and remained active with the department until his death.
‘He was just remarkable,? Key said. ‘He put his heart and soul into the fire department.?
Waldo served as a mentor to several of the guys in the department and, according to Key, he was always there to help whenever needed.
‘Everyone in the department admired him,? he said.
‘I’ve never known someone to give as much back to the community as Bill did,? Key added, noting that he was also very active with the Lions Club.
Waldo is survived by his daughters, Terry (Phil) Miller of Indiana, Tamie (John) Adragna of Oxford and Sandra (Tom) Moore of Oxford; grandchildren, Jason Cole, Ryan (Ziena) Miller, William Cole, Caitlin Miller and Jalyn Adragna; and sisters, Ruth Vance, Shirley Geno, Dorothy Bostwick and Diane Blain.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Deborah.
Funeral services for Waldo will be held on Thursday, June 19 at 11 a.m. from the Lake Orion Chapel of Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home with Pastor Bruce Denton officiating. The family will receive friends today (June 18) from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Interment Eastlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Deborah Waldo Scholarship Fund.
Reflections may be shared at www.sparksgriffin.com.