William P. Hastings Sr.

On the morning of May 9th, 2023 Bill departed this world on his final journey. Born and raised in Alcona County, Bill moved on after high school but then eventually returned home in 1975 and bought the Hastings Centennial Family Farm, where he grew up. During the time he was gone, he served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years in both the U.S. and Europe. He then found his career in the international oil and gas pipeline industry. He hired in as a ditch laborer and worked his way up to General Manager and eventually Vice President of Operations, overseas. His career took him and his family on an extraordinary journey that included living on every continent in the world except for Antarctica. And if they had discovered oil in Antarctica, he would surely have gone there as well. Upon permanently returning to "the Farm", and after trying his hand at farming for a couple of years, his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. He and Isa ran several businesses in the area, including Alpena Sewing Center, Alpena Screen Arts & Embroidery, Alpena Sign & Awning and Alpena Mini-Storage. His work with hand carving wooden signs led him to become an avid woodcarver as a hobby, and he won numerous awards for his wood carvings. Bill and Isa started "One-of-a-Kind Creations" where they shared their many artistic talents at craft shows and art galleries. As a result of his woodcarving hobby, he became involved with one of his proudest accomplishments; honoring deserving military veterans by presenting them with uniquely hand carved walking canes, through the Veterans Cane Group. Bill possessed an upbeat, positive attitude that drew people to him. He was always the life of the party, with a quick wit, and a joke or a tall tale to tell. The expression "he would give you the shirt off of his back" described Bill completely. He would do, and did do, anything for anybody. He affected many people's lives in a positive way, and we are all better off for having known him. He was a long time Mason and Past Master at Lincoln Lodge 292 as well as Alpena Hopper 199. While at Lincoln, he was instrumental in starting the Masonic Lodge 292 Scholarship Fund. Raising funds for deserving local students. He also became a Shriner, and we all know the good work they do for kids. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Isa (Avino) Hastings, as well as his son William J. Hastings (Gina), Yorkville, IL; daughter, Carla (Tom) Brown, DeRidder, LA; grandchildren Cynde Quiroz, Cathe Rice and Michelle Hanks; sister Martha Beroset; siblings-in-law Maria Helena (Carlos), Lydia (Roberto) and Francisco Jr. (Rosa, Selma), all of Sao Paulo, Brazil; honorary brother and sister Joe and Linda Hastings, Black River, MI and many nieces, nephews and cousins both in the US and in Brazil. Bill was predeceased by his parents: William G. Hastings and Hilda (Fettes) Hastings, his first wife Mary Jo (Smith) Hastings, his sister Phyllis Bowersox and his father and mother-in-law Francisco and Lydia Avino. A memorial service will be held at the Masonic Lodge 292 in Lincoln, MI on May 26th at 12:00 noon. There will be a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Masonic Lodge #292 F & AM Scholarship Fund (PO Box 155 Lincoln, MI 48742) - OR - Shriners Childrens Hospitals at LoveShriners.org To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William P. Hastings Sr., please visit our flower store.