Ellesief "Elsie" W. Billings, 99, of Royal Oak for 75 years, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. She was born Feb. 23, 1908, in Boon, Mich. Mrs. Billings owned Billings Feed Store for many years. She was very active in her church, worked sewing cancer pads at the church. She was predeceased by her husband, Leslie M. Billings, on April 15, 1990. The couple were wed Jan. 6, 1933, in Detroit. Her son, Robert Jon Billings, is also deceased. Surviving are her daughter-in-law, Jean Billings; grandchildren, Greg (Judy) Billings, Rick (Mary Jo) Billings, Debbie (Mike) Bush and Shele Foust; 11 great-grandchildren and one geat-geat-grandchild. Visitation. 3-8 p.m. Monday, Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W.11 Mile, Royal Oak; services, 11 a.m. Tuesday, funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Rice officiating; burial, Oak-view Cemetery, Royal Oak; memorials, Alzheimer's Association or First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak; online information, www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 14, 2008.

Helen M. Hamplewski, 90, of Warren, formerly of Detroit, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at St. John Oakland Hospital, Madison Heights. She was born Oct. 9, 1917, in Detroit. Mrs. Hamplewski was a longtime member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and St. Bartholomew Christian Women. She enjoyed traveling, watching old movies, music and singing. She was at one time a member of St. Hyacinth's Choir. Surviving are her children, Diane Hampel-Nowak (Bruce), Walter (Julie) Hampel and Cynthia Hampel-Litwinowicz (Raymond); grandsons, Luke, Michael, Zachary, John, Rocky, Sean and Noah and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Leo, and brothers, Edward Lucas and Joseph Lukaszewski. Visitation, 6-9 p.m. today and 49 p.m. Tuesday, Wasik Funeral Home, 11470 13 Mile, Warren; in state, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday until time of funeral Mass, 11 a.m., St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 2291 E. Outer Drive, Detroit; interment, Resurrection Cemetery; online condolences, www.wasikfuneralhome.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 14, 2008.

Pete Bida, 91, of Berkley, died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Feb. 29, 1916, in Hawkins, Wis., to Sam and Kate (Kencyr) Bida. As a child, his family moved to South New Berlin, N.Y., to establish a profitable dairy, egg and produce farm during the Depression. Mr. Bida supported the family by assisting the local butcher and performing odd jobs that built his great physical strength, positive work ethic and compassion to help others. A graduate of South New Berlin High School, he lettered in football, baseball and track. His athletic prowess earned him a boxing scholarship to the University of Idaho, where he studied mechanical engineering. His most memorable experience at U of was a three-round exhibition match with then heavyweight champion Max Baer. Working in Detroit during World War II, he designed, developed and custom-built tooling and dies used in the fabrication of aircraft and armored vehicle components. He mentored many apprentices in the development of progressive automobile dies, including the late Stephen Yokich while at Heidrich Tool and Die in Oak Park. Mr. Bida was active in UAW Local 155 even after his retirement. It Royal Oak, he met his soul mate, Grace, whom he wed in September of 1950. Members of Our Lady of La Salette Church, they raised four God-fearing children in their Berkley home and shared many cooking, hunting, fishing, sledding and skiing adventures with their children while building and enjoying a cottage with friends and family on Murphy Lake. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace, on Sept. 23, 2005. Siblings Eve DeForest of Sidney, N.Y., Katherine Cole of Binghampton, N.Y., Stella Lyons of South New Berlin, N.Y.; Mary, John, Frank and Paul Bida of South New Berlin and Sam Bida of Ely, Nev. are also deceased. Surviving are his sons, Peter (Barbara) and Gary (Cheryl); daughters, Kathy (Louis) Terhlen and Patricia Bida; sisters-in-law, Elma Bida of South New Berlin, Elizabeth Barbier of Oxford, Lorraine (Irvin) Fox of Orlando, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; dog Suzy and cat Charlie. Memorial visitation, 3-9 p.m. Wednesday with 6 p.m. memorial service, Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home, 2125 W.12 Mile, Berkley; inurnment, 10 a.m. Thursday, Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley; memorials, Berkley Animal Hospital, online memories, www.sawyerfuller.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 14, 2008.

Bruce Douglas Hauser, 61, of Auburn Hills, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at home. He was born Nov. 7, 1946, in Highland Park. A lifetime Metro Detroit area resident, Mr. Hauser graduated from Highland Park High School and later retired from Ford Motor Co. He is survived by his children, Anthony M. (Catherine) Hauser, Ryan M. Hauser and Sarah P. Hauser; siblings, Ronald C. (Beverly) Hauser, Gerald C. (Susan) Hauser, Linda (Michael) Carroll and Sherry (Michael) Washburn; parents, Evelyn and William Kline; grandchildren, Anthony S. and Jacob M. Hauser; and nieces and nephews, Tina, Lori, David, Neeley, Kelly, Drake, Zachary and Meghan. He was predeceased by his father, Clarence Matthew Hauser. Funeral service, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home, 2125 12 Mile, Berkley; fmal resting place, Roseland Park Cemetery. Share your memories at www.sawyerfuller.com.

Published in The Daily Tribune on January 14, 2008.