William Vander Pol

It has been said that true riches are found in the heart, not the bank. William Vander Pol’s life showed that he was wealthy in the truest way. Compassionate and giving, Bill made a way of life out of putting others first. He took particular joy in serving his family, always looking for ways to support and encourage them while doing his best to provide what they needed.

William was born at a time when the constant bombings, rolling armies, and bloody battles of World War II had decimated Europe, including William’s homeland, the tiny country of the Netherlands. The Netherlands had declared neutrality, but in 1940 Germany invaded anyway and occupied the nation for nearly five years. Stories of the bravery of the Dutch resistance spread around the world, the most famous being that of a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank whose family was helped by citizens of Amsterdam. In 1945, the war was finally over, the Netherlands was freed, and a Dutch couple named Nelis and Marie (Biesbroek) Vander Pol had an extra reason to rejoice when their little boy William was born on December 6.

Little Bill was soon toddling after his older siblings, Mike, John, and Ina. He was taught along with the others that the most important things in life had nothing to do with money. The Vander Pols instructed their children in their faith and encouraged them to be sensitive to the suffering all around them.

Although in general things were obviously much improved after the war, the rebuilding process in Europe was overwhelming. The economy was devastated, along with natural and technological resources. Many Europeans looked across the oceans for hope, and the Vander Pols were among the brave who left everything they knew in order to build a better life for their children. In 1950, Bill was wide-eyed and excited to arrive at his new home in Lamont, Michigan, just west of Grand Rapids. The family later moved to Northwest Grand Rapids. Bill’s father worked as an iron fabricator and his mother managed their busy household. Bill was sent to West Side Christian School and then Unity Christian High School where he graduated with the class of 1964.

After graduation, Bill joined the United States Navy, serving two years on active duty and two in the Reserve. Based out of Norfolk, Virginia, Bill was assigned to the destroyer USS Vogelgesang. His years of service from 1965-1968 included the Vogelgesang’s around-the-world tour via the Panama Canal, Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, and across the Atlantic back to Norfolk. That trip included a stop off the coast of Vietnam to provide support for troops ashore and to help repel a Viet Cong attack. The Vogelgesang earned two battle stars for service during the Vietnam conflict. Many months of Bill’s service also included tours in the Mediterranean Sea.

Bill was proud of his time in the Navy, but was also grateful to return to civilian life, in large part due to a special young lady he met when he got back to Michigan. Her name was Trudy Witteveen, and he met her at the Knife and Fork Restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids. It didn’t take Bill and Trudy long to realize they were meant for each other, and they exchanged wedding vows on August 29, 1969, at the Seventh Reformed Church, beginning a journey together that lasted over thirty-eight years.

The newlyweds set up house in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1664 Walker NW, in what had formerly been the parsonage for West Leonard Christian Reformed Church and had been moved off the church site and on to Walker. They purchased the house from Rich Verhey and lived there for the rest of their married life, raising two daughters who were the center of Bill’s world.

Bill supported the family by working at Ottawa Ornamental Ironworks with his father. Later, he worked as a custodian at Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church. In 1987, he started his own business, American Courier Service, which he ran until he sold it in 2004. He then returned to his roots and used the old Ironworks building as home to a craft business.

Bill enjoyed competitive activities, but never took himself or the game too seriously, an attitude that frequently resulted in his selection as “Sportsman of the Year” in his golf and bowling leagues. He had played softball in his younger years, but his heart belonged to golf. He felt privileged to have had the opportunity to play on many famous courses around the country, and he didn’t need an excuse to pull out his photo albums of his golf trips. Vacation spots included such gorgeous locations as Aruba, Los Cabos, California, and Lake Tahoe, and he golfed everywhere he had the opportunity. His most memorable golfing moment, however, actually took place close to home. In 2007, he got a hole-in-one at Scott Lake Country Club in Comstock Park.

The values Bill had learned as a young boy stayed with him throughout his lifetime. He believed that the home was the first place to put feet to faith, and he always thought of his family’s needs before his own. He treasured the memories of his mother, cherishing the watch she had given him. He adored his wife and children, and fiercely protected his grandchildren. Bill contributed to his community by serving as a deacon at Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church and West Leonard Christian Reformed Church. He gave generously to those in need and went out of his way to befriend people who were lonely or in need of encouragement in some way.

Bill’s heart for others was an example to all who knew him, especially his family who knew him best. He has left a legacy of kindness and caring that inspires others to look beyond themselves to the needs of those around them. He would be pleased to know that his loved ones will follow in his footsteps, loving the unlovely, finding the best in people, and looking out for each other with love and loyalty.

William passed away Friday, February 1, 2008. His mother, Marie, and sister, Ina Bulten, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Trudy; children, Amy Vander Pol and Sara and Jeremy Westveer; grandchildren, Brennan, Grahm, Averie, and Ella Westveer; and his father, Nelis Vander Pol. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters-in-law, Rev. Mike and Lois Vander Pol and John and Greta Vander Pol; brother-in-law Dr. Robert Bulten; several members of Trudy’s family; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 5, at 2 p.m. at the West Leonard Christian Reformed Church. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may meet the family on Monday, February 4, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, and at the church for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Lamont Christian School for the education of the Westveer children. Please visit Bill’s personal memory page at wwwlifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo, find the address for contributions, or sign his online guest register.