William Henry "Bill" Blessing's Obituary
William Henry “Bill” Blessing, age 79, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Spring Lake, MI. He was born December 26, 1944, in Indianapolis, IN to Henry and Clara (Glickert) Blessing. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1962 and went on to the University of Iowa to obtain his undergraduate and master’s degrees. Bill began his career at Illinois Masonic Medical Center as Vice President of Professional Services. He then became the CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in 1977, where he proudly served for 33 years. He retired in 2011 after leading the hospital to receive the prestigious Michigan Performance Excellence Award. While in retirement, he began working at MSU’s new medical school, where he trained undergraduate medical students. On June 17, 1967, Bill married, Katherine “Kitty” Porter and they were blessed to spend 57 years together.
Bill enjoyed boating on the Great Lakes, sports cars, reading, and spending time with family and friends. He was also an avid University of Iowa sports fan and faithfully followed their football and basketball teams. Over the years, Bill also participated in Grand Rapids Rotary, served on volunteer boards, was a member of the Peninsular Club and the Spring Lake Country Club, and was very involved at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kitty; sons, Jason (Holly) Blessing and Eric (Mandy) Blessing; and grandchildren, Peyton, Parker, and Wells Blessing. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be 2 PM on Friday, November 22, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church (508 Franklin Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417). MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to the Greatest Needs Fund of the Grand Haven Community Foundation.
The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services (213 Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456) is honored to serve the Blessing family. To share special memories with the family and sign their online guestbook, please visit http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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