"Billy was perhaps the funniest man I've ever worked with in my years. He had a great sense of "timing" with his humor and always had a big heart for others in need. He was the longest running comedian at the Jungle Queen and his antics with "Sunrise Sunset" will be legend. No one has ever been able to match his quick wit and comedic sense. I learned so much from watching him work night after night. He always made me laugh. He was and will continue to be missed as a great entertainer. I am so sorry that I'm just finding out about his passing. I would have been at his celebration to play "Sunrise Sunset" one last time. "
In loving memory of
Bill "Billy" Michaels
August 4, 1933 - November 2, 2013
Michaels, Billy of Ft. Lauderdale, passed away on November 2, 2013. Born in Detroit, Michigan of Irish decent; he was a professional entertainer for 60 + years. He was a stand up comic, professional ballroom dancer, actor and singer. Throughout his career he worked with numerous entertainers such as Jerry Lewis, Burt Reynolds, Ray Charles, and Four Aces & featured in over 150 commercials and over a dozen movies. Billy served in the U.S. Army and entertained troops all over the Far East. Billy played semi-pro baseball with the Detroit Tigers AAA affiliate. Billy loved life to the fullest and will be missed by all fortunate to know him and most of all his loving family. The stars are shining brighter with his presence. He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Hartling) Michaels; his step-son Marc (Deanna) Guiseppi of Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren Lyndsey, Madisyn and Ryley and sisters Nancy and Eleanor. A memorial celebration will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 11:00 am at Fred Hunter's Downtown Funeral Home, 718 S. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale 33316. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broward County Humane Society. www.fredhunters.com.
Tributes
"Whenever family and friends came to south Florida we would take them on the Jungle Queen Dinner Cruise. Billy was the headliner, we loved him so much! My daughters and I have spoken of him many times over the years remembering many of his "bits"such as Sunrise, Sunset!!! One night as we were heading back on the Jungle Queen Billy raced ahead in his car, jumped out as we passed and proceeded with antics that made us laugh all over again. Billy gave us all tears of laughter, today they are tears of sadness.................Rest in peace, Billy."
" I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May you find comfort from your memories, as well as the comfort found in God's word the bible. Romans 5:12 says, "That is why, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." How loving of God to promise what is found at Revelation 21:4 which says, "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." "