Billy Key

A kind, generous, and humble man, Billy enjoyed a life rich in family and friends. Billy was a simple man who never liked a fuss and lived by the golden rule that kindness was never extra; it was the bare minimum. Billy embraced each day as a gift and every person as a friend. Honest and honorable, Billy genuinely enjoyed every conversation he shared, no matter the subject, and he never hesitated to offer a helping hand to those in need. A cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Billy will long be remembered by those he so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1931 held a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive not just to endure but to thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the Key family's hearts and home as they welcomed their son Bill on June 20, 1931.

Billy's early years were spent on the family's cotton farm, weeding, pulling, getting chased by goats, and enjoying a simple life. Though he attended school for a time, he didn't graduate from high school as he was needed to work on the cotton farms.

Raised in a time and place where if he didn't work, he didn't believe he should eat, work was a way of life. Rather than moving to Chicago to find a job, Billy moved to Hartford, where he began his long career in precision finishing, which required making his own polishing wheels and tools. In the late 60s, while working at Du-Wel Products in Hartford, Billy met the love of his life, Beatrice "Bea" Millword. Though they worked in different departments, they were smitten with each other from the moment they met. A champion of workers' rights and protections, Billy helped Bea organize a union and also served as the plant's local union president. After dating for a time, they fell deeply in love and married at Billy's brother's home on March 22, 1969.

The newlyweds settled in Lawrence, Michigan, where they established Mann and Key, a polishing and buffing business, in 1973. Having started the company with one employee, by the time they sold it in the mid-eighties, it had grown to employ more than a hundred people. During this time, Billy and Bea also owned some rental property and raised foster children. Over twelve years, they lovingly parented over 38 foster children and also began the first foster home for unwed pregnant teenagers in Michigan.

Billy and Bea were a dynamic duo who enjoyed staying busy together. Over the years, they bought property to build a house, which they called Alligator Alley, built and finished a log cabin, and built many other homes and businesses, including Busy Bea's Flea Market and a restaurant. Never one to be idle, Billy loved being outdoors, tending his yard, especially getting the weed-eating done and digging the ditch Bea dreamed of.

The nicest man, though headstrong and proud, Billy would talk to anyone about anything and was willing to do or give for anyone. He led with his heart in all things and was deeply affected by his first daughter's death. When Bea's lead levels were discovered to be four to five times greater than they should have been, the result of years of working with lead paint without a mask, she was diagnosed as environmentally ill, and life for her and Billy significantly changed. Because her body was shutting down, for eight weeks she had to travel to Three Rivers. Though daunted by the diagnosis, neither Bea nor Billy slowed for long. Billy ensured Bea's good care and encouraged her passions for knitting and crocheting.

After Bea died July 23, 2011, Billy continued to find comfort in keeping busy and spending time with those he loved. Sadly, dementia began to dominate his life in the last few years. The gift of the care his son Dave and his wife Tammy provided Billy allowed him to live out his final years in the comforts of his home.

Billy's life was firmly rooted in humility, generosity, kindness, and hard work. He endured hardships few could imagine, yet through it all, he lived fully, loved deeply, and left a legacy of honesty and service that will be cherished by everyone who was blessed to know him.

Sadly, Billy Key died peacefully at his home in Paw Paw on October 21, 2025.

Members of his family include his children; Elaine Sandra (Jim) Lange, Patrick Kee, Marlene Peasley, Dave (Tammy) Millword; his sister Barbra Jo Waits as well as many extended family and friends.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Betzler-Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M-40 Hwy, Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 with visitation beginning at 10AM. Life Story Service will be from 11AM-12PM with a reception to follow in the Life Story Center where food, drink, and stories will be shared. Burial will take place later at Hill Cemetery.

Celebrate Billy’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association - Michigan Great Lakes Chapter.