William R. Wiebenga Jr.'s Obituary
It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things we do, that others may live.
William R. Wiebenga, Jr., age 69, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023. He was born October 2, 1953 in Grand Haven, MI to William R. and Evelyn (Broersma) Wiebenga, Sr. He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1971. Bill was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served 1971-1976 as a Pararescueman. He also served 2 tours in the Vietnam War 1972-1974 and with the SAC Elite Guard out of Nebraska 1974-1976. Bill later received his Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Bill enjoyed a 35-year career in law enforcement, having received numerous accreditations and awards throughout his career. Bill worked as a Road Patrol Deputy at the Omaha Police Department and the Box Butte Sheriff Department. He later worked at the Iona County Sheriff Department. Bill came to the Muskegon Police Department where he worked Road Patrol, ID Bureau, WEMET, Detective Bureau, Traffic Bureau, and finally rose to the rank of Captain. Bill completed his law enforcement career as the Chief of Police for the City of Roosevelt Park. He also worked as a paramedic for Bud’s Ambulance and was a supervisor for the Prisoner Reentry Program at Goodwill Industries. In 2018, his wife, Julie, finally let him retire. Bill was described as a “gentle badass”. He was so humble about his life in the military as a PJ and law enforcement. “Hero” is a word he never attributed to himself, but those who knew him did. He could regale you for hours with the most amazing stories and with each story you learned more about the man. On April 26, 2003, Bill married the love of his life, Julie A. Huismann. Theirs was a love story for the ages. Bill was incredibly proud of his children, Bill and Kacey and grandkids, Mia and Billy, and loved to tell everyone about them. Every Saturday in the Fall, Bill could be found in front of the television watching his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. Go Big Red! He is survived by his wife, Julie A. Wiebenga; daughter, Kacey (David) Romanes; son, William R. (Valeria) Wiebenga III; sister, Lin (Terry) Westra; brother-in-law, Chris (Lynne) Huismann; sister-in-law, Mary (John) Woods; grandkids, Mia and William Wiebenga; nieces and nephews, Charissa Arman, Kyle and Alec Huismann, Bryan Woods; and special 4-legged kids, Fancy, Winston, Hunter and Stillwell. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00-5:00 PM Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Julie Wiebenga’s Residence. A Graveside Service with Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force will take place 1:30 PM Monday, May 15, 2023 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012. For those wishing to make an expression of sympathy, please consider the Harbor Hospice Foundation or the Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs of Williston, FL. Arrangements handed by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
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