Arbrick “Billy” Wylin, age 96, of Richmond Township, born January 13, 1924, died June 27, 2020. He and his wife, Irene, were lifelong area farmers and polka enthusiasts.
His lifelong joy was farming, a passion he shared with his family. He served as a Director of the Eastern Michigan Vegetable Association Board for a number of years, and was a member of the Richmond Antique Engine and Threshing Association and the St. Clair County Farm Museum. Much to the joy of his family, he was the recipient of the 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year Award from the Armada Agricultural Society.
In the 1940s, he received his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his airplane. He was a pilot until his second crash, and at his wife’s request, was no longer.
In 1981, he visited his parents’ hometowns in their native Belgium, along with his brother Remi. He shared special connections with his cousins from Belgium that stand to this day.
Since before the Mackinac Bridge was built, he hunted for whitetail deer in the Upper Peninsula and started a tradition that survived generations with his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He lived to see his great-grandchildren enjoy deer camp with him.
He was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Mystical Rose Catholic Church. His Saturday evening ritual was mass at St. Mary’s and dinner and more at Kozy Korner. His nighttime ritual and secret to longevity was a sip of Dr. McGillicuddy’s.
Billy is survived by his children, Alan (Kathy Cryderman) Wylin, Sandy (Lee) Storey, Christine (Bobby) Weier, Chris (Beth) Wylin, and Gail (E