With extraordinary sadness, we wish to share the news of the loss of William (Bill) Farber who passed away on Saturday, March 26th.

Bill was the beloved husband of 62 years of Audrey, and father of Larry (Barbara) Farber, David (Nanci) Farber, and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Farber. He was Grandpa Bill to the couples’ grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Born in 1931, Bill had a long and prosperous career as a pharmacist and was a pioneer in the generic drug industry. In recent years, Bill and Audrey emerged as major benefactors to Jewish Detroit whose vision, generosity and commitment to Jewish life made an indelible mark on our community. In particular, they had a unique passion for Jewish life and education, and many of their philanthropic activities focused on providing foundational support for our local Jewish schools, camps and other educational programs.

Among the many Federation agencies they supported, the Farbers provided essential funding to the Farber Hebrew Day School – Yeshivat Akiva, Hillel Day School, Tamarack Camps, Jewish Senior Life Wellness Centers, the Brown Center, World ORT, Campus Hillels at MSU, HCAM and Metro Detroit, and PJ Library. Together with their children, the Farbers were Founder Level Donors to the Federation Centennial Fund. Bill was a past board member at Hebrew Free Loan, the JCC and the Jewish Federation.

They also were benefactors to the Temple Israel Early Childhood Education Program, the Friendship Circle Farber Soul Center, Yad Ezra, Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy, the Bernstein Clinic, Friends of the IDF, the Alzheimer’s Association, Empowerment Plan Detroit, Starfish Family Services and numerous other agencies and organizations.

Through his remarkable generosity, Bill Farber touched the lives of untold Jewish children, seniors, and others throughout community. Bill’s goodness will continue to shape the lives of many generations to come.