William "Bill" Felsenfeld, a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died on July 12th, 2026 at the age of 101. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

The Dorfman Chapel- main chapel (map to our Chapel)

Date of Service:

Tuesday July 14th, 2026

Time of Service:

1:00 PM  

Broadcast of Service:

A live stream of the service will be broadcasted on Tuesday July 14th, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Please check back at that time.

Interment at:

Beth El Memorial, 28120 6 Mile Rd, Livonia, MI

Officiant:

Rabbi Paul Yedwab  

Shiva Information:

No formal shiva will be held.  

Charitable contributions:

The Jewish War Veterans
P.O. Box 725066
Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: (248) 855-5085

Alzheimers Association
25200 Telegraph Rd. Suite 100
Southfield, MI 48033
Phone: 800.272.3900

or to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation
P.O. Box 515 Northampton
MA 01061-0515
Phone: 413-268-7660
Click Here

or to a charity of one's choice  

Family Members:

Bill is survived by his sons, Mark (Laurel), Robert (Brenda Weingarden), Joel (Sandi) Felsenfeld. Grandchildren, Emily (Carmi Hall), Miles, Aaron, Joshua (Mallorie), Elyssa (Joshua Greenberg), Matthew (Fiancee Jen Zieger) , Zachary (Fiancee Sarah Sweeney), Scott (Fiancee Brittany Feldman) and Brett (Fiancee Betty Diaz) Felsenfeld. Great grandchildren, Maia and Kyla Hall, Jona Felsenfeld, Shae and Oliver Greenberg. He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley Felsenfeld and the dear son of the late Joseph and Rose Felsenfeld. Treasured brother of the late Morris, Nathan, and Fred Felsenfeld, Betty Lichter, Illene Smith and Helen Rich. He is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, and adoring students.

William (Bill) Felsenfeld was born on January 20, 1925 in Detroit Michigan. He was the 7th and last child of Joseph and Rose Felsenfeld. Bill described his childhood as warm with loving family closeness. Growing up on Tennyson Avenue in Highland Park was an idyllic setting. He was extremely close to his brother Nathan, who became his confidant and teacher of how the world worked. His Father owned a grocery store on John R and Rosedale in Detroit, 3 blocks from the family home. Bill started working at the store (for no pay) when he was 12 and it took World War Two to get him out. Bill was called to active duty on September 27, 1943 at the age of 18. He was inducted at Camp Grant in Rockford, Illinois and completed his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Bill was extremely homesick, could not stomach the food (missing his mothers cooking) and endured the humiliation of basic training. Bill spent 6 months at the University of Arkansas learning flight mechanics. He loved his time there, as he was able to eat civilian food in the school's cafeteria! His flight training took him from Enid, Oklahoma, to Foster Field, Aloe Field, Goodfellow Field and Randolph Field, all in Texas. His first solo was February 23, 1945, he was so proud of this special accomplishment. He graduated from single engine flight training September 8, 1945, six days after Japan's formal surrender.

Bill returned home along with his brother Nathan, who served in Europe, to the delight of his parents.. Not wanting to go back to the store, Bill began a career in show business. A talented singer and actor, he would perform pantomime acts to music, sometimes 5 times a day in local bars and clubs. Seeing that this line of work may not be able to sustain him, he took advantage of the GI Bill and earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in education at Wayne University (now Wayne State), and back to the store.

He met Shirley at Wayne, a fellow education student. They were married on June 16, 1952 and had three boys, Mark, Robert and Joel. Bill and Shirley made a wonderful home for their family, first on Littlefield in Detroit, then on Pennsylvania in Southfield. Their loving partnership lasted 61 years. They enjoyed wintering in Boca Raton, something they looked forward to every year.

Bill began his teaching career at Taft Elementary School in Ferndale. He taught sixth grade for 36 years, using the same desk that is now in his basement. Bill was beloved by his students, winning the Detroit News Teacher of the Year Award in 1968. Many students kept in touch with Bill over the years and came to see him several times a year at his home.

Bill had a second career as a model and actor, starting in 1964. He was often seen on television commercials for Ollie Fretter, Highland Appliance and Hudsons, among many others. In 1966, Bill became the face of WJBK Channel 2, as Mr. Watchable. His face was plastered on city buses, taxi cabs and billboards around Detroit (His face was on a sign on our street in Detroit). This opened many doors in the Detroit modeling world, where he continued his acting career until 2010.

Bill and Shirley retired to their condo in West Bloomfield, where they doted on their nine grandchildren and volunteered for several Jewish charities and school classrooms. When Shirley became ill with dementia, Bill was there to eat dinner with her for five years, every day she was in memory care.. Bill continued to live an active life, enjoying his exercise group at Henry Ford Hospital.

Bill was a true renaissance man, with many talents. He could do almost anything and was always there to lend a helping hand to family and friends.  

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