Bill Ridley

Loving, independent, and kind, Bill Ridley lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. As a devout Christian, Bill embodied the principles of his faith, leading with his heart and sharing his gifts and talents in the service of his community. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, fellowship member, and friend, Bill will always be remembered for his love of the Lord and his desire to spread the Gospel of the Lord with others.

On March 9, 1938, Bill was born to Atherton and Beulah Ridley in Douglas, Michigan. He was the the youngest of the three children. His older sisters were Janet and Nancy. Bill attended elementary school in Holland, Michigan before his family moved to Grand Rapids where his father was a truck driver and later a city bus driver. One day when he was 16 years old, he asked his father if he could take guitar lessons. His father said he could only take them if he paid for them himself. With great determination and resolve, Bill worked several part-time jobs to earn the money to pay for his lessons including working at a drive-in theater. He soon developed a passion for music and loved playing the guitar and singing.

In 1956, while a student at Rogers High School, Bill decided to quit school and hitchhike across the United States to California. Soon he found that this wasn’t for him and decided to return home. He graduated from the first graduation class at Rogers High School in 1957. For a time, Bill played guitar and sang with The Four Scotts who later became the Tru-Tones. The bands played in Grand Rapids, Canada, and Illinois, and recorded an album.

When Bill's sister introduced him to her babysitter, Nancy Weaver, Bill grew quite smitten. He would visit Nancy while she worked at Woolworth’s in Burton Heights, and soon they were dating regularly. With their hearts set on sharing the future together, Bill and Nancy were married in 1967 in Grand Rapids at Olivet Evangelical United Brethren church.

After celebrating their nuptials with a honeymoon to Florida, the newlyweds settled into their first home in a trailer park in Kentwood, Michigan. Bill was working for Goodyear Rubber and Tire Company when he was transferred to Muskegon. In 1968, they Had their trailer moved to Muskegon.

Having made his public profession of faith before marrying, Bill wanted to share his faith with others, and so on their first wedding anniversary, he told Nancy he wanted to go back to school. With Nancy's support, Bill enrolled at Reformed Bible College and began taking classes. At this time, the couple moved their trailer back to Grand Rapids. When Bill graduated from Reformed Bible College in 1971, he earned a degree in ministry as an evangelist.

Nancy and Bill purchased a house on Margaret Street in Grand Rapids, and Bill began working for The Forgotten Man Mission as a Chaplain at the Kent County Jail and visiting Chaplain at Ionia and Jackson Prisons.

Soon, Bill and Nancy's first daughter, Tammy, was born in 1972, and two years later in 1974 their second daughter Jennifer was born. Just 6 months after Jennifer was born the family moved to Cape Coral, Florida, where Bill was the pastor at Cape Coral Christian Reformed Church. While living in Florida their son Bill was born in 1976.

Two years later, the family returned to Michigan, and Bill worked at Horseshoe CRC as pastor. Six years later they moved to Grand Rapids and purchased the family home on Hamstead Street. For nine years, Bill served as pastor at Gold Avenue CRC before becoming the associate pastor at Bethel Reformed Church. Prior to retiring from the ministry his final position was at Princeton CRC. Never ashamed of his faith or his love for Jesus, Bill was willing to tell anyone he met about Jesus, and he was always willing to change and adapt to the situations around him.

After retiring from the ministry, Bill and his daughter, Tammy, founded WT Fleet Services. The company specializes in providing safety compliance for trucking companies. Bill was able to use his communication skills in sales and customer relations in starting WT Fleet Services. At the age of 65 he decided to retire.

Bill's lifelong love of music led him to play piano and guitar by ear. He owned three guitars, loved playing with others, used his talents at church from time to time, and played at the Howard City Senior Center. Bill enjoyed playing and singing silly songs to his children and grandchildren when they were young. Bill also enjoyed traveling and was blessed to take many trips over the years. Some of his favorite travels included trips to England, Florida, Hawaii, and Yellowstone National Park, and taking many different cruises.

As we celebrate Bill's life, may we find deep comfort in our many treasured memories. May we keep Bill's memory alive and inspiring others as he inspired each of us.

William (Bill) Ridley, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, entered his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the comforts of his home and with his loving and caring family by his side. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Atherton and Beulah Ridley. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy; his children, Tammy (Dave) Ledkins, Jennifer (Jeff) Bakhuyzen, and Bill (Marie) Ridley; his grandchildren, Andrew, Erin, Tyler, Braden, Mia, Addison, and Max.

A service to remember Bill will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 2 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 40504. Bill's family will receive visitors an hour prior to the service as well as after the service for a time of refreshments. Memorial contributions in Bill's honor may be directed to Friends and Family of Cystic Fibrosis www.friendsandfamiliesofcf.org/support-us. To leave a memory or sign Bill's personal guest book, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com