William "Bill" Weideman's Obituary
William “Bill” Weideman, 90 of Grand Haven, Michigan, passed away on May 29, 2021, at his home in Grand Haven. He was born on September 19, 1930, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to the late Frederick G. and Elizabeth (Webber) Weideman. He was the widower of Barbara Donahue Weideman.
Bill went to Fordson High School in Dearborn. After graduation from Fordson High, he graduated from Michigan State University in 1952, with a BA in Radio and TV Broadcasting. With his degree in hand, Bill went straight into the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War as a photographer and radio producer for public information programs. In 1955, Bill’s passion for music and broadcasting landed him in Grand Rapids, where he bought and ran a record store, and worked at WOOD Radio and TV. Bill chose to use the professional name “Bill Barber” and WOOD TV would often give him special TV and radio assignments, which included interviewing the Four Freshmen, Kingston Trio, Fats Domino and Ray Charles. It was during those days in Grand Rapids that he met and married his beloved life companion, Barbara Donahue.
In 1961, Bill returned to MSU for his MA degree in Counseling and started working for the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), as a prison counselor at the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia. While there, he started and ran the first off-grounds prison college program. In 1974, he transferred to the newly built Muskegon Correctional Facility as Assistant Deputy Warden for Programs.
Bill, Barb, and their five children settled in Grand Haven, where they had spent their summer vacations. Bill retired from the MDOC in 1988, but continued to be active. He returned to his love of theater, music, and broadcasting, working at WGHN and Brilliance Corporation/Amazon. Bill and his wife Barb, were always involved in community theater wherever they lived, including: Ionia, Grand Haven Central Park Players, Muskegon Civic Theater, and Muskegon Community College. Bill directed and performed, while Barb often sewed costumes and hosted cast parties.
Bill was also president and tournament director for The Highland Park Tennis Club in the 1990’s. In West Michigan, he was best known as the father of the Weideman Family Band, which played many venues over the past 30-some years. The happiest moments of his life were spent making music with his wife, five children and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his sister, Nancy Hill of London England; his five children: Steve Weideman of Grand Haven, Meg Weideman of Ann Arbor, Tom Weideman of Grand Haven, Jennifer (Bernard) Jomard of Paris France, Laura Weideman of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren: William Weideman, Goldie Weideman, Daniel (Vera) DeWall, Jennifer DeWall, Grace (Jeremy) Churchill, Bradley Jomard, Mackenzie Jomard, Stephen Garrison and Jeffrey Garrison; great-grandchildren, Harrison and Remington Churchill; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James Weideman; and his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara, who died on April 24, 2015.
A private family service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.systemafh.com.
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