WILLIAM G. "BILL" KOKAS  January 9, 2014 Age 56 of Birmingham, formerly of Dearborn. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Longtime Stock Broker in the Detroit area. Beloved husband of Jeanne M. Stevenson. Step-father of Elizabeth Riga, Matthew Riga, (Godson) Joshua Riga, Joseph Parisi, Ryan Parisi, Matthew Parisi and Steven Parisi. Loving son of Helen and the late Gus. Dear brother of James and Andrew (Yizhuo). Also survived by many loving relatives. Family will receive friends Sunday 2-8p.m., Trisagion at 6p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn 13-14 Mile), 248-549-0500. Funeral Service Monday 10:30a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles, Troy. Visitation at church begins at 10a.m. Memorials to American Diabetes Association. 

From The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press

Bill Kokas, who administered the most generous scholarship fund in the history of Wayne State University Law School - died Thursday.  He was 56.   Mr. Kokas passed away of complications from cardiac arrest while his wife, Jeanne Stevenson and his parish priest were at his Beaumont Hospital bedside.

While he was known most recently for his work with the Carl Ziemba Scholarship Trust Fund, Mr. Kokas found himself in high profile positions throughout his career.  He entered politics at 18, becoming the youngest in Dearborn to ever make a run for the School Board.  At 21, he ran for the State legislature trying, unsuccessfully, to oust a 30-year incumbent in the democratic primary.  He was also an aide to U.S. Representative, John Dingell.  Bill was bold in his public life, challenging the status quo.

The stock brokerage firm, Paine Weber, capitalized on his engaging personality at a young age, making Bill a stock broker right after graduation from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  From there, he quickly climbed the ranks to become the principal trainer of young brokers in the national Paine Weber system working in Houston and New York.  He later held management positions at several brokerage offices until he retired from the financial services industry as Executive Vice President of First of Michigan - a regional brokerage firm.

After the financial services business, Bill became an entrepreneur trying to honor the legacy of his late father, Gus Kokas of Dearborn's Chambertin Restaurant.  The elder Mr. Kokas left his son a recipe for a seasoning mix for steaks and seafood.  Bill bottled and sold the seasoning to Detroit area food markets under the name, Gus Kokas' "Dash of Detroit."  He was still involved in Dash of Detroit upon his death, but his failing health prevented him from taking the business as far as he wanted.

Bill often said life became better after his career because, at 52, he was finally able to marry his longtime sweetheart, Jeanne Stevenson whom he met during high school years.  Jeanne's natural reserve and Bill's larger-than-life personality formed a marriage bond that friends say was fun to be around because both seemed happier than they had ever been. 

Bill had a generous heart, giving whatver he had to whomever he could.  He was relied on by his family and friends for the many connections he made throughout his life.  He never failed to check in on family members to see how each was doing and find out what he may be able to do to help.

Bill did not have children of his own, but he was a stepfather to many, including Joshua, Matt and Elizabeth Riga and Matthew, Steven, Ryan and Joey Parisi.  Said Joe, "He was the father I needed."

Bill Kokas is survived by his wife, all of his stepchildren, his mother, Helen Kokas and his brothers Andy Kokas (Olivia) and Jim Kokas.  He had four nieces - Aynne Kokas, Amanda Kokas, Lainie Kokas and Claire Howie Kokas, three living aunts, two uncles by marriage and seven living cousins.  He also had many close friends nurtured from the generous heart that he gave away until it failed on January 8, 2014.  

From the Desmond Funeral Home, Birmingham, Michigan