William "Bill", "Billy Ray", "Heavy Duty" Fielstra's Obituary
It’s the bottom of the 9th and the games over for Bill, who lost his hard fought battle with cancer. Mr. William R. “Bill”, “Billy Ray”, “Heavy Duty” Fielstra, age 66, passed away at his home in Muskegon Tuesday morning, August 17, 2004. He was born October 12, 1937 in Muskegon to William and Eleanor (Styvenberg) Fielstra and was a life resident. Bill was a lifelong, diehard cub fan and attended numerous games with family and friends at Wrigley Field. He was also an avid baseball player, having played High School ball for the Muskegon Big Reds. He later played city league softball for many years. Bill always enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s ball games. Mr. Fielstra joined the City of Muskegon Fire Department July 7, 1960, and retired after 28 years on October 5, 1988. During his tenure with the fire department, he was very active in the AFL-CI0 Union. He was an active member of the Sons of Norway Lodge participating in weekly card games and golf, and was a member of Canteen #450. Bill worked part-time for 25 years for the City of Norton Shores Parks and Recreation. He loved his family, numerous friends, camping, spending the winters in Zephyrhills, FL, playing cribbage, steel guitar music, chocolate, and especially cooking “his” pizza and spaghetti – Bill and his family’s favorites. On March 1, 1957, Bill married the former Patricia Ann Sumner and she survives Bill along with 3 children, Cindy (Joe) Wolff, Diane (Greg) Hysell, Kathy Jo (Peter) June; 5 grandchildren, Sara Jefferson, Erin Gibson, Emilee Flickenger, Kelsey Jo-An June, Tyler William June; 3 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Alex and William, 1 sister Karen F. (William) Thomas; 1 brother, Randall D. (Terri) Fielstra and special friend and cousin, Richard Creamer. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Eleanor Fielstra. A memorial service will be 11AM Friday at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church with Pastor Kristin Aardema Faigh officiating. Visitation with the family will be 2-4PM & 6-8PM Thursday at The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., 231-859-8565. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana, Norton Canteen 450 or Lake Harbor U.M.C. General Memorial Fund would be appreciated.
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