By Deborah Larsen
William Earle “Bill” Bellairs
William Earle “Bill” Bellairs was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 10, 1927, the son of Herbert and Lottie Evans Bellairs. Bill grew up in Rochester, Michigan, and attended Rochester High School, graduating in the class of 1944.
In January 1944, Bill entered the U.S. Navy. After training as a machinist’s mate, he was stationed aboard LST 449. His ship operated in the Pacific Theater, and Bill participated in the landings and subsequent occupations of Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, LST 449 performed occupation duties in the Far East until returning to the U.S. in March 1946. Bill was discharged from military duty in April 1946.
After the war, Bill married, started a family, and operated Bellairs Standard Station in Oxford, Michigan, for 40 years. He was very active in several community organizations in Oxford and sponsored many Little League and bowling teams.
William Earle Bellairs died at age 72 on May 6, 1999, and was laid to rest in Oxford, Michigan.