James W. Bussard's Obituary
Prominent retired attorney, James W. Bussard, Grand Haven, passed away the afternoon of August 30, 2009. He was 87. Jim served his family, his community, and his country with distinction, conviction, kindness and humility. He was a devoted husband; father; prosecuting attorney, Ottawa County (seventeen years); and a practicing attorney for 52 years. An editorial, Grand Haven Tribune, once declared: “Prosecutor James W. Bussard is known as Jim in the Tri-Cities and throughout the County of Ottawa. That says a lot about the man.” One of his favorite maxims to live by was “Be the Best You Can Be”. He said of his chosen career: “It has been my ‘best’—by that, I do not pretend it has been the best that could have been made by anyone—merely the best I could do.” He was a man of dynamic, yet quiet, leadership.
Jim was born in Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Charles and Clara Bussard. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School, Western Michigan University and the University of Detroit, School of Law. Little known, but typical of his modesty, Jim Bussard won the Golden Gloves light heavyweight boxing championship in 1941 for Kalamazoo. Further, he served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a cadet instructor until he was mustered to the European Theater in 1945. Although Jim flew a myriad of aircraft in several combat missions, the one that stood out was Operation Varsity. He was called up unexpectedly to participate as a glider pilot (an aircraft without an engine or propellers) in this operation without training. This mission, supported by 3,000 USA, British and Canadian troops; a thousand gliders with supplies towed by C-47s; and paratroopers, crossed the Rhine River into Eastern Europe, delivering the final blow to the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan and Italy) on March 24, 1945. This mission brought to a smashing climax Hitler’s long, five-year program of devastation across northwest Germany, hastening the surrender of the Nazis. After the ceasefire, Jim served in the Army of Occupation, often flying high ranking military and government officials from one location to another. On one such occasion his assignment was to transport Averell Harriman, US Ambassador to Russia and Great Britain. Like many of his generation, he was modest about his war-torn years of separation, courage and duty.
Upon discharge from the Army, Jim resumed his education and graduated from law school, Juris Doctor, in 1950. He began his law career in the Detroit area, working for Lawyers Title Insurance Company. He and his wife, Jan, moved to Grand Haven in 1951 to begin his career where his work ethic and dedication were soon recognized. In 1953 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for Ottawa County and he continued in that position through 1969. At the same time, he established and maintained a thriving private practice of law, since the prosecutor’s position then was less than full-time. During this time, the county’s governing body was the elected Board of Supervisors. Jim provided civil counsel to the county on various matters, and to sixteen townships and municipalities as their attorney for many years. He was actively involved in the practice of law on a full-time basis until his retirement in December, 2002. Many members of the Ottawa County Bar Association regarded Jim as a mentor; he was well respected with considerable influence in his profession over many years.
Throughout his life, Jim Bussard was influenced by the core values he learned while growing up on his parents’ farm: hard work, humility, integrity, loyalty and service. He relished the opportunity to talk about those values at various times for Memorial Day or Veterans’ Day observances, frequently at the invitation of his fellow members at the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Being a “gentleman farmer”, playing golf and sharing hospitality with family and friends were three of Jim Bussard’s favorite pastimes. He was one of the founding members of the Grand Haven Golf Club in 1966. His membership in Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, which he served in several ways in mid-life, was also very important to him.
No one knew or loved Jim better than his friends and family. Jim Bussard was quickly identified as a gentleman by all he met. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice, and his children, Jane (James) Christman, Oak Brook, IL; Jody (Edward) Herrelko, Spring Lake, MI; Jiselle (Gregory) Graves, Edina, MN; and Jill (Scot) Ferris, East Grand Rapids, MI. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Jill and Lauren Christman; John and Jane Sielski; Gregory and Michael Graves; and James and Daniel Ferris. Additionally, he is survived by his sisters-in-law: Ardith Westie, Carmen Kistner, and Carol (Chris) Harder; numerous nieces and nephews; and long-time friend and business associate, Phil Sielski.
As Jim requested, his private burial with the immediate family, has taken place, followed by a memorial celebration of his life. Please visit www.vbkfuneralhome.com where you can sign the online guest book or share a memory with the family. Because of Jim’s great compassion for all veterans, memorials to The Little Red House Adult Day Care Services, 311 E Exchange, Spring Lake 49456 or Hospice of North Ottawa Community, 18525 Woodland Ridge, Spring Lake 49456, are appreciated.
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