Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Fr. Pettit was dedicated, prayerful, and fun-loving
Fr. Pettit was dedicated, prayerful, and fun-loving
by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published January 4, 2008
Detroit — Fr. William Pettit was known by many in the local Church as a prayerful man with a good sense of humor who was always willing to serve.
"He was a very dedicated pastor, very good to the people, and faithful to his duties," said his long-time friend Fr. Donald Dacey.
Fr. Pettit, 80, died Dec. 19, after serving the Archdiocese of Detroit as a priest for 53 years.
He was born in Detroit Aug. 11, 1927, to Cyril and Harriet Pettit. He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese June 5, 1954. He had a Bachelor of Arts from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.
He served as an associate pastor at St. Ambrose Parish in Grosse Pointe Park from 1954 to 1959, St. Timothy Parish in Trenton from 1959 to 1964, St. Joseph Parish in Port Huron from 1964 to 1969. He was pastor of five parishes: St. Catherine and St. Edward, both in Detroit, from 1969 to 1970; St. Pius X in Southgate from 1970 to 1972; St. Norbert in Inkster from 1972 to 1978; and St. Kenneth in Plymouth Township from 1978 to 1997. During his time in parishes, Fr. Pettit also served on the presbyteral council, served as a priest chairman of the Catholic Services Appeal, and was vicar of the former Northwest Wayne Vicariate.
After he attained senior priest status in 1997, he served as administrator of St. Agatha Parish in Redford Township in 2000, St. Cecilia Parish in Detroit in 2001, and St. Kenneth Parish from 2003 to 2004. Fr. Pettit was active helping out at local parishes, especially St. William in Walled Lake, until a few weeks before his death.
"He always wanted to do things," said his long-time friend Sr. Barbara Mary Saynay, OP, who knew Fr. Pettit for 37 years. "He wanted to be busy doing things for others."
Sr. Saynay said he had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and to his daily prayer life.
"He had compassion for people, and the love of Jesus," she said. "He wanted to minister to people like Jesus did. He was always there when you needed him, no matter what."
Fr. Pettit also was close to his family, said his niece Marge Goward.
"He was always such a good example of a good Catholic, the way you live your life," said Goward. "He was always fair, never raised his voice."
She recalled Fr. Pettit's love for his mother, who died in 1974. She also said he loved kids, and was a joy while spending holidays with the family.
Fr. Pettit's friends say he enjoyed life, as well, and took a liking to the arts, especially museums and plays. He played golf and cards, and was a world traveler, too.
"He was a good friend, great company, as well as a spiritual guide," Goward said.
Fr. Pettit left a lasting legacy at St. Kenneth, the church from which he was buried. In 19 years as its pastor, Fr. Pettit was instrumental in raising funds and organizing the church building. He was just as instrumental in laying the bedrock for the community's sense of warmth, current St. Kenneth pastor Fr. Thomas Belczak said.
He called Fr. Pettit a well-loved and respected priest, "one of the gentle giants who served for so long."
"We're indebted to him because of his faithfulness to God and spirit of warmth and acceptance," Fr. Belczak added. "A welcoming community is what we're all about — and that's who Bill Pettit was."
Fr. Pettit is survived by his brother, Cyril; nieces Margaret Goward and Anne; nephews William and Joseph; and several nieces and nephews living out of state.
Fr. Pettit's funeral Mass was Dec. 22 at St. Kenneth Church. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Condolences may be sent to Margaret Goward, 13215 Drury Lane, Plymouth Township, 48170.
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