Bill Stapley

A man who lived and loved by example, Bill Stapley lived a contented life. Though he was a bit of a jokester, Bill expressed himself best through actions rather than words. He could build or fix anything and enjoyed working on projects, especially those that resulted in comfort and fun for his family. Bill was a kind man and an incredibly proud father who was generous with what he had, especially his time. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Bill will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression and growing conflict in Europe, 1936 held much to celebrate. American track and field athlete Jesse Owens dominated the Summer Olympics in Berlin, the BBC started the first public Television broadcasts in London, and the novel Gone With the Wind was published. As President Roosevelt was elected for a second term, the Hoover Dam first began generating hydroelectric power. Nowhere was there more to celebrate than in the home of Sidney and Helen (VandenBerg) Stapley as they welcomed their son, William Martin, to their family on June 28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The oldest of the three Stapley children, Bill enjoyed growing up in the Cheshire neighborhood in Grand Rapids Northeast with his siblings, Arlene and Dick. While his father worked as a printer/lithographer, his mother was a homemaker. The family attended Calvary Non-denominational Church, and Bill’s dad took him hunting in Irons, Michigan.

As a teen, Bill spent a lot of time with his best friend, Gene Kleibusch. He loved cars, cruising, and spending time with friends. While a student at Creston High School, Bill began working at a local mom-and-pop grocery store on Plainfield Ave., beginning his 56-year career in grocery. Bill also served in the U.S. Army as a driver for Army doctors before serving another six years in the Army Reserves.

While cruising, Bill had the good fortune of meeting Norma Alkema at a soda shop. Though he had to ask her out a few times before she finally agreed to a date, a year and a half later, they were married. Following their beautiful spring wedding on May 19, 1961, at Trinity Reformed Church, the bride and groom celebrated their nuptials with family and friends at a church reception. They enjoyed a long weekend driving to the Upper Peninsula.

Following their honeymoon to the Upper Peninsula, the newlyweds settled on the northwest side of Grand Rapids on Arianna Street NW in an upstairs apartment before moving to Lincoln St to a two-family house. In time, Bill and Norma were blessed with three children: Kathy, Doug, and Elaine. Bill demonstrated his love by involving his kids in his projects. As his helpers, while they held the flashlight for him, Bill taught his kids the skills to be independent, figure things out, and be content with what they had. While the family never had the best of anything, they never lacked what they needed.

A natural tinkerer, Bill loved working on anything with a motor, earning the nickname “Motor Bill.” He always had an old tractor, built go-carts and dirt bikes, and worked on snowmobiles, boat motors, mopeds, lawnmowers, and small engines. Bill proudly built a cabin for his family in the Dublin-Sand Lake area so they could spend quality time together. The family spent every Christmas break and most of the summer at the cabin, where Bill always had the go-carts and dirt bikes ready to ride. Bill helped his kids bring up baskets of fruit and vegetables that they took by wagon and sold to the Sand Lake campers for extra spending money. The kids learned to drive during these summers at a young age, in the Volkswagon and Pinto cars Bill provided for them.

During his 56-year grocery career, Bill did it all. He worked for Kroger for thirty years, Hamity Brothers, Eberhards, and Madison Food Center. He was a head grocer, purchaser, and manager. His kids remember going with him during holidays when the store was closed to make sure the freezers were running okay. During these years, Bill also collected and displayed beer mirrors from all the different vendors he had worked with.

Bill loved racing and cheering on NASCAR driver Johnny Benson Jr. He went to school with Johnny’s parents and was a big fan of the local guy who made it big. He took in races at the Berlin Raceway, followed AJ Stehouwer, another local racer, and made annual trips to Michigan International Speedway. A special trip to a NASCAR race with Doug proved a great memory.

In retirement, Bill built a home in Branch and continued to enjoy saving money. He loved the hunt for the best deals, including the best price for gas. He and Norma traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. They also traveled coast to coast with their travel trailer. He and Norma spent the months of November until Easter in Bowling Green, Florida, in a friendly community where Bill enjoyed playing the “Joker” card game and helping with projects like installing the community’s WiFi network. Fourth of July was family time at the lake, decorating the pontoon, and celebrating several family members’ birthdays together. Grandpa Bill remained the teacher, helping his grandkids learn and become independent. Though he had a stoft spot for the gals in his life, he continued to show his love best with his actions -- train rides, fishing, and pontoon rides, and keeping his eye out for what needed repairing. Up until the very end, Bill did his best to accomplish these tasks, ensuring his loved ones were well cared for.

Though life feels far less certain in the absence of Bill’s steadfast companionship and care, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying the best of Bill’s legacy forward. In each moment we confidently tackle a project, give of our time and talents in service of others, take in a race, enjoy a game of cards, or gather at the lake, we celebrate the countless ways Bill showed his love for others. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired us.

William Martin Stapley, age 87, passed away March 11, 2024. Bill was born June 28, 1936, in Grand Rapids to the late Sidney and Helen (VandenBerg) Stapley. His wife, Norma, of 62 years survives, as do their children, Kathleen Troxell of Grandville, Doug (Deb) Stapley of Marne, Elaine Glanville of Byron Center; grandchildren, Trevor (Aubrey) Troxell, Ashley (Matt) Miller, Dan (Kerri) Stapley, Rachael (Zach Brink) Stapley, A.J. Vermeulen, Jessica (Brent Mossburg) Glanville, Tanner Glanville; and great-grandchildren, Peyton, Myles, and Elyse. Bill is also survived by his sister, Arlene Timmer of Grand Rapids; brother, Richard and Maribeth Stapley of Wellston; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 5 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family beginning at 4 PM, and there will be a meal to enjoy after the service. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Mason County Reformed Church. To leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.