Elwin "Bill" Ohlsson

A devoted father, husband, and Opa. Lifelong Detroit area resident, Elwin William Ohlsson, died of the result of a stroke at Plymouth Inn with family by his side. He was 89. Elwin, also known as Bill, grew up in Highland Park with his mother, father and 4 siblings. A WWII veteran, Bill served in the Army, and later attended Wayne State University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. While serving in the Army, Bill was deployed to Germany with duties as a telephone lineman. Always the romantic at heart, Bill fell in love at first sight, with a German girl, Sophie Katharina. He was so smitten by Sophie, he persuaded his landlady to invite Sophie over for dinner, and so the courtship that led to a near 59-year marriage began. Bill and Sophie were married at Stadkirche church, in Germany, on July 3rd, 1946, with the church’s bells ringing loudly in the air. Those very church bells became a very significant part of their lives, not only ringing on the day of their nuptials, but also on the days both of their children, Heidi and William, were later baptized. When released from the Army, Bill stayed in Germany as a civilian PX Manager. The family came to the United States aboard the Queen Elizabeth I in 1948, and bought a house on Detroit’s Westside. Years later, Bill climbed the very bell tower at Stadkirche and recorded the bells for his wife, Sophie. The church bells became a family tradition that were played on holidays, family celebrations, and every Sunday morning. Bill and his family played the recording of the church bells when his wife, Sophie passed away on March 23rd, 2005. Bill was also a successful business man, the CEO of Plasteel Corporation in Inkster. His legacy at Plasteel lives on today through his son, William Ohlsson, and his grandsons, Bill Jr. and Scott. Bill loved his family dearly, was extremely proud of all their accomplishments, and was generous beyond measure. He had the best laugh, and enjoyed feeding the “critters” in his back yard, reading, working on his iPad, watching classic movies and mini-series. He is survived by his daughter and son (Heidi and William), his daughter-in-law (Jane “Jean” Ohlsson), his son-in-law (Ron Schacher), 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be Monday, February 29, 2016, at 11 AM at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 W. Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, MI (between Sheldon & Beck). Visitation will be Sunday from 4 PM until 8 PM. Interment will be at Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project online or mailed to: P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675

Elwin "Bill" Ohlsson

March 27, 1926 - February 26, 2016