GOODSON, WILLARD R., JR.

Willard R. Goodson, 73, a former photo engraver and founder of a Livonia bike shop, died Friday [September 20, 1996] at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

A resident of Farmington Hills, Mr. Goodson worked for what’s now the Oakland Press in photo engraving before going to Detroit Colortype Corp. in the early 1960s.

In 1974, still employed at Detroit Colortype, he opened Bill’s Bike & Tour Shop on 7 Mile in Livonia.

“He always wanted to be in business for himself,” said his wife, Alice. “He really enjoyed it and worked really hard. He worked two jobs until he could afford to quit.”

He sold that business in 1986 and retired.

He was born in Vinita, Okla., and raised in Monroe. He had lived in Dearborn and Livonia before moving to Farmington Hills seven years ago.

He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans Alliance of Novi and the Marine Corps League. He served in the Marines in 1941-45, earning a Purple Heart.

Mr. Goodson is survived by his wife, Alice; sons Mark and Tom; a daughter, Nancy McPherson; stepsons Keith, Tim and Patrick Garvey; stepdaughters Lynn Samsel and Lisa Vickery; a brother; a sister; 14 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral will begin at 9:15 a.m. leading to a 10 a.m. mass today at St. Aidan’s Church, 17500 Farmington in Livonia. Burial will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, near Kalamazoo.