William Kenneth Ledbetter

William Kenneth Ledbetter of Saginaw

Passed away in his home on Thursday, December 29^th, 2022, at the age of 91. William was born in Alabama on November 22^nd, 1931, to the late Preston H. & Gracie M. Ledbetter, and was raised in Harlan, Kentucky until 1951, when he joined the Airforce. He served in the 1607^th supply squadron based in Dover Airbase in Dover, Delaware. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal - German Clasp, and the National Defense Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 9, 1955. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife Irmgard, and the two were married there. She survives him. He could not speak German, and she could not speak English and perhaps that was the secret to their 70-year marriage. He would be proud to share a love like theirs with the world. After the Air Force, they lived briefly in Kentucky before moving to Saginaw, Michigan where he worked as a millwright at Grey Iron until his retirement after 30 years.

Growing up in his large family, his siblings all had nicknames. Bill’s nickname was “Good,” and he wore that name until he left us. He was a patriot who proudly served his country. He loved his family and took great pride in his appearance, ensuring that he was always well dressed, even when he didn’t leave the house. He taught all his granddaughters how to polish their shoes. He was not a man of many words, but he made sure that his family knew how much he loved them.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Irmgard; two daughters, Sylvia Popielarz (Robert) and Joan Kulow (Richard); four grandchildren, Bridget (Todd) Smith, Tina (Victor) Breinager, Traci (Tim) Cook, and Kati (Randy) Krueger; and seven great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews in Germany, Michigan, Kentucky, and Texas.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Eugene L. Ledbetter (Elsie), Eulis D. Ledbetter, Buren Ledbetter (Mitzu), Elizabeth Leikert (Fred) and Mildred Ernest; and sister-in-law Trudy (Tom) Poyer.

A funeral liturgy for Bill will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 3^rd, 2022, at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish St. Helen Church, 2415 N. Charles St., Saginaw, Rev. Fr. William Rutkowski presiding. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00am until the time of service, with burial to follow at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations made to the I Support the 1% food pantry, or Christ the Good Shepherd.