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William John Axel IV of Erie, Michigan died Friday, March 2, 2018.  He was the victim of a senseless drive – by shooting in Toledo, Ohio. William was born October 17, 1997 to Diann (Waldorf) and William J. Axel III in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  In 2003 he and his brother Kyle came to live In Erie, Michigan with their paternal grandfather William Axel II and his wife Kay Axel.  On November 23, 2004 they were formally adopted by William and Kay.  Billy attended Mason Consolidated Schools kindergarten through graduation in 2016.  At Mason he served as Senior Class Representative on the Mason School Board, and participated in Youth in Government, Science Olympiad, The Wizard of Oz play, Football, Basketball, and Track.  Billy was baptized and confirmed at the Erie United Methodist Church where he was unconditionally loved, served as an acolyte, participated in many church programs and events, and was a member of the youth group. He loved computers, lifted trucks, loud music, and all people. Billy had a wicked sense of humor that allowed him to charm his way with his mother.  Billy was polite and respectful and thought of others first – sometimes to his own detriment.  He was inquisitive, and analytical.  Billy questioned everything, was extremely independent and was living life on his own terms.  Billy is deeply loved and survived  by his parents, William II  and Kay Axel, brother Kyle Axel, sister Christine Axel, sister Samantha Waldorf, Grandmother Barbra Jean DeMayer, Great Aunt Mary Craig, Great Aunt Patricia Scott of Illinois, Uncle Tom Axel and Aunt Carla Axel of Louisiana, Uncle Robert Travis of California, Uncle Kevin Kryder and Aunt Valerie Kryder of Gains Michigan, cousins, Brent Kryder, Amber Johnson, Becky Degree, Bobby Travis, 6 second cousins, his dog Sophia , cat Pickles and countless friends.  He was preceded in death by his Aunt Janice Travis, Grandfather Ted DeMayer, Paternal great-grandparents William and Donna Axel, Maternal great-grandparents Ansyle and Beryl McGurck, Cousin Lawrence T. Craig, and Uncles, Joseph  Scott and Lawrence P. Craig.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI. Funeral services on Thursday will be held at 4:00 pm at the Erie United Methodist Church, 1100 E. Samaria Road, Erie, Michigan.

Interment services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in Billy’s name to Mason High School Youth in Government, and Erie United Methodist Church Youth Ministries. www.pawlakfuneralhome.com