William Kuiper

Systematic, organized, and punctual, Bill Kuiper ran his life along clear and orderly lines. What truly gave his life direction, however, were things deeper than routines and schedules: his family, and his faith. Bill was utterly devoted to his family, and spent his life caring for those he loved. He was equally committed to his faith, and lived out his beliefs in word and deed. Bill’s integrity, strength, and kindness will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives he touched, both as a cherished memory and a source of inspiration in the years to come.

In the United States, the “Roaring Twenties” were a time of economic prosperity and changing social values, including new rights for women, the popularization of radio, and increasing consumerism. William “Bill” Kuiper was born in the middle of this exciting decade, on December 1, 1925, and shared his birth year with the inauguration of Calvin Coolidge as president, the publication of The Great Gatsby, and the invention of Scotch tape.

Bill’s proud parents, Stephen and Nellie (Hans) Kuiper, brought the newest member of their family home in the O'Brien Road area near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later, the family would move to Airway, NE. Bill grew up on the family farm with his four siblings: James, Steve, Nettie, and Jacoba who were later joined by brother Paul and sister Ruth. As a child, Bill spent a lot of his time helping out with farm chores (especially the raspberries), and managed to find time for plenty of practical jokes!

Bill attended Creston High School, but by the time he was sixteen years old he had already entered the working world. Those were the early days of World War II, and Bill wanted to serve his country by enlisting in the armed forces. Although he was unable to join the Army, Bill nevertheless contributed to the war effort in his own way: he started working at Haven Busch Structural Steel, which at the time was fabricating steel parts for the war effort. Bill was proud of his role and in later years recalled that during that time he made parts for the Navy’s ships. He was a talented welder, one of the premier welders in the area, and as the years went by had a number of different roles within the company as welder, first aid director, welding instructor, and shop foreman where he became a mentor to many younger workers. Bill was actively sought out for his welding expertise and was asked to lead many area welding classes and served as a consultant on many tough construction issues.

Bill made many friends at work, and they enjoyed a weekly bowling night every Friday night at the Fanitorium for many years and joining the group as they changed to golf leagues during the warmer months. He remained at the plant long after the war ended, until the factory closed and he took an early retirement at age 55.

One fateful evening, Bill met a young lady named Margaret Deppe on a blind date. Bill and Margaret hit it off right away, and the rest is history. The happy couple was married on September 26, 1947, at Creston Protestant Reformed Church, beginning a loving and committed relationship that would endure for more than fifty years. After a one-day honeymoon in Battle Creek, Michigan, Bill and Margaret started their married life in a home on College Ave NE. Later moving to Fuller Ave S.E where they raised their young family. Bill and Marge became "West-siders" as they neared retirement, moving to their Shawmut residence where they enjoyed a bit slower pace of life.

As the years went by, Bill and Margaret were blessed with four children, whom they named William (Bill) Jr., Sharon Lynn (who passed on only months after birth), Sandi, and Judi. Bill was a loving father, but the kids also knew they had better toe the line or “… wait until Dad gets home…!”

Each year, Bill and his family made many happy memories on annual summer camping trips to destinations all across the state (as the years went by, they graduated from tents to a pop-up camper to a 32-foot trailer). Many of these camping trip destinations were to rural locations in the U.P. where Bill and the family encountered many forms of wildlife, sometimes even waking to roving black bear in the middle of the night.

The remainder of the summer was usually spent at the Bill’s father's cottage on Brady Lake, or at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds, where Bill played an active role as a volunteer and longtime Board of Directors member. Closer to home, Bill and Margaret enjoyed visiting relatives and getting together with their many friends.

In addition to being a skilled welder and a talented family man, Bill was also committed to giving back to his community. He volunteered his time with the Crossroads Ministries, and was a diligent blood donor who proudly wore his 8, 10, 12 and even 18 gallon donation pins. Devoted to his faith, Bill was also extremely active in each of the churches he belonged to over the years. For example, at Mayfair Christian Reformed Church Bill taught in the Sunday school program, and spent many years as the director of the Sunday School program. He also served as a deacon and elder and contributed to church life in many ways.

Around the house, Bill enjoyed taking care of the house and his cars – he was meticulous, and a portion of every Saturday was devoted to car maintenance. He was also quite handy, and kept the house in tiptop shape. In his free time, Bill loved being in the outdoors he especially loved camping and fishing. He often got up at the crack of dawn to chase that illusive trophy bass and even for brief period gave some local brook trout at bit of a concern as he tried his hand at fly fishing.

His interest in fishing and the need for a trailer to transport equipment for the regular tent camping excursions led to the purchase of a boat that he happily trailered to many local lakes in the later years with grandkids in tow.

After taking an early retirement, Bill settled down to enjoy his golden years to the fullest. For him, this meant time spent with family and traveling. He and Margaret began spending winters in Florida, moving around to different campgrounds, and making new friends everywhere they went. Farther afield, Bill and Margaret also enjoyed trips to destinations including Europe, Hawaii, and the Dominican Republic. Back home in Michigan, Bill loved nothing better than spending time with his grandchildren. He was their number-one fan, and attended many of their sporting, school, and church events. He also enjoyed taking the grandkids camping, and passed on his love of fishing to them.

Sadly, Bill’s beloved wife Margaret passed away in 2001. Bill was eventually able to adjust to being on his own, but never quite got the hang of cooking – Big Boy (on Pearl Street), Burger King (on Leonard), and the American Bakery became part of his regular routine where he shared many a meal/snack with his brothers Jim and Steve until their passing. Many a friend would “stop to catch Bill” at one of these haunts because his routine was well known.

Until the summer of 2012 when his health became more of a challenge he continued his many church activities (now focused around Seventh Reformed Church): attending Bible studies, hymn sings, and (a favorite activity) church dinners; continued to enjoy attending his grandchildren’s' sporting and school events; and took day trips around the state. Longtime friend Barb Thomson often joined him in these adventures.

In the past few years, Bill has suffered health problems of his own, which eventually led to residence in the Christian Rest Home beginning in January of this year. While limited by his health conditions he relished the time that he had with longtime friends who had also taken up residence in the nursing center and with their encouragement joined the modern technology age resurrecting his passion for bowling by joining the nursing center's Wii bowling teams and mastering the Wii wrist flick to keep the ball out of the gutter. He also called on another passion and became the center's food critic, giving all meals a two-thumbs up and “five stars” saying that he could not complain about any of their meals. In Bill's words, "The food is great here."

Organized and systematic, fun loving and kindhearted, Bill was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Mr. William "Bill" Kuiper returned to his creator on July 14, 2013, at the age of 87. Bill’s family includes his children, William "Bill" Kuiper Jr. and Jeanne Cooper-Kuiper of Muskegon, Sandi Rook and Dominic Franconi, and Judi and Chris DeKorver; 14 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Ruth Kuiper; his sister, Ruth Oleneack; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Betty Kuiper, Ann Kuiper, Frank and Bernice Deppe, Grace Wiggers, Marge Deppe, Alida and Arnie Rotman, Freda and Del DeKleine, John Deppe, and Dick and Liz Deppe; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his daughter, Sharon Kuiper; his grandson, Seth Rook; his great granddaughter, Sydney Vallient; and his brothers and sisters, James and Steve Kuiper, Nettie Yahne and Jacoba Kuiper.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 19, at Seventh Reformed Church. Friends are invited to visit with his family from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van't Hof Chapel, and from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. on Friday at Seventh Reformed Church. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Rest Home Foundation. Please visit Bill’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills,from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is they keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.