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William Joseph
Cavanaugh
Oct 20, 1949 — Jul 16, 2025
Flint
CAVANAUGH, William Joseph, of Flint, age 75, died Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Stonegate Health Campus, Lapeer.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 25, 2025 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 2319 Bagley Street, Flint, Rev. Fr. Matthew Bonk officiating. Final entombment with Military Honors will occur 2:00 P.M., August 5, 2026 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan. Mr. Cavanaugh will lie is state at the Plumb-Smith Funeral Home, G-1208 N. Ballenger Highway, Flint Township, where friends may visit 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and at the church 10:00 AM until the time of services Friday. A prayer service will be held 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to The Ancient Order of Hibernians Charities and Missions at https://aoh.com/charities-and-missions/
Bill was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, October 20, 1949, the third of the six children of Dennis Albert and Lona Frances (Milam) Cavanaugh. Bill graduated St. Michaels High School in 1967, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1969. He studied political science at The University of Michigan Flint before attending Cooley Law School.
Mr. Cavanaugh practiced law in Flint for many years, and was a dedicated member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians, serving as Grand Marshall of the Flint St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2000.
Surviving are: children, John "Jack" and wife Patricia "Tricia" (Howard) Cavanaugh, Dr. Daniel L. Cavanaugh and partner Hannah Duerr, and Erin C. Cavanaugh; grandchildren, Teresa, Kelly, Maggie, Ireland, Addison, Kennedy, and Eden; former wife and close friend, Gloria J. Cavanaugh; siblings, Dennis A. (Pamela) Cavanaugh, Frances E. (Frederick) Smith, Michael J. Cavanaugh, and Patrick L. Cavanaugh. He was also close with many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Theresa A. Cavanaugh, and sisters-in-law Dr. Thirza Smith and Janet Evans Ashburn.
Wednesday
Plumb-Smith Funeral Home
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday
Plumb-Smith Funeral Home
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday
Plumb-Smith Funeral Home
Starts at 7:00 pm
Friday
Starts at 11:00 am
Visits: 3
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