Mr. G. William "Bill" Willbrandt's Obituary
Mr. G. William “Bill” Willbrandt, 90, passed away early Thursday morning, March 26, 2015, in Muskegon. He was born March 1, 1925 to Gregory and Winifred (Bishop) Willbrandt in Muskegon, and lived his life here. Bill was a member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church. He was the owner and operator of Willbrandt Farms, Inc., was a celery farmer, belonged to the Elks, the Masonic Lodge, and the Vikings. After retirement he worked for the Campbell Soup Company. On November 23, 1945 Bill married Doris Barrett, and she survives him along with 4 sons, Thomas M. Willbrandt, Barry W. Willbrandt, Brian G. (Debra) Willbrandt, Douglas G. (Marcia) Willbrandt; 10 grandchildren, Bonnie (Charles) Adams, William Willbrandt, Becky (Bud) Makay, Melissa (Bryan) Rodgers, Bradley (Heidi) Willbrandt, Jacob (Gracie) Willbrandt, Kathryn (Clay) Smades, Jason (Kim) Willbrandt, Mathew (Felicity) Willbrandt, Justin Willbrandt; 15 great-grandchildren, Tara (Grant) Cropsey, Gregory Adams, Brent, Blake and Baylee Makay, Liam and Macie Smades, Amelia and Norah Rodgers, Maggie, Jaxon, Clara, Millie, Shane and Nova Willbrandt; 3 great-great-grandchildren, Keagan, Jonathan and Harmony Cropsey; 1 sister, Gladys Loomis; 2 daughters-in-law, Susan (Jim) Byrne and Diane Willbrandt; 1 sister-in-law, Darlene VanderWest; 1 brother-in-law, David Barrett. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Shirley Stewart; and 2 brothers, Elmer and Bruce Willbrandt. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 30, at the Laketon Bethel Reformed Church, 1568 W. Giles Rd., with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Burial will take place at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., (231) 726-5210 will be from 2-5 PM Sunday, and 1 hour prior to the service at church on Monday. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com Contributions in memory of Mr. Willbrandt may be made to Laketon Bethel Reformed Church.
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