William L. "Bill" Barnes' Obituary
William L. “Bill” Barnes, age 84, passed away Wednesday morning, January 15, 2020. He was born December 29, 1935 in Petoskey, MI to William and Leola (Barry) Barnes and was a brother to E. Michael Barnes, Mary (Bob) Vanderwest, John (Linda) Barnes, and Marcella Wildt. At the age of 5, Bill’s family moved to Big Rapids and in 1955 he graduated from White Cloud High School. His family then moved to Muskegon in 1958, where he met and married his cherished wife of 62 years, the former Carol Lynn Fouts. Bill retired from SPX Corporation in 1996. SURVIVORS include his wife, Carol; daughter, Kathy (Ken) Marton; sons: Barry (Tammy), Steve (Sue); 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons: Billy in 1980 and Tommy in 1959. Bill relished his life of activities which included track, football, basketball, managing fast pitch softball, raising Morgan horses, horseshow announcer and showman, farrier, 4H leader, running 5k races at age 60 (but he’d tell you he ran a marathon), but he especially loved the game of pool and his hobby of rebuilding pool tables and cue sticks. THE FUNERAL MASS will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, January 20, 2020 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442) with the Rev. Fr. Douglas Braun presiding. VISITATION with the family will be one hour prior to the mass at the church Monday morning. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Thomas Catholic Church. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210
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