Serving West Michigan Since 1899

William I. Buiten

July 15, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01c/136505/136505-00.jpg



Graveside Service

Thursday, July 22, 2021
10:00 AM EDT
Lakewood Cemetery
Map

Life Story / Obituary


Print

William Irwin Buiten (Bill), 91, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on July 15, 2021.

He was born to William C. Buiten and Anne Visser Buiten on March 1, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bill attended Calvin College, and then went on to the University of Michigan, where he received a chemical engineering degree.

He was married to Bernice Ann Evenhouse in 1952. They had two daughters, Cheryl Kay and Lisa Marie.

In his younger years, Bill worked for Standard Oil as a chemical engineer. Later, he became a businessman, working for Garden City Disposal and Waste Management in Chicago. He was the Executive Director of the Chicago and Suburban Scavengers Association (200 member companies), and also served as Chairman of the Board of Timothy Christian School. After he and Bernice moved to Miami in 1972, he joined up with a partner to launch a new business, Tie-Down Hardware and Accessories. Bill also served as an officer in the Marine Corps.

Bill always supported and gave of his time to the churches that he and Bernice attended. He served as an elder, sat on many committees, and actively participated in several church building and construction projects, contributing his time and engineering expertise. Bill and Bernice were also generous financial supporters of their churches and other Christian charities and ministries.

Bill loved fishing and boating. In earlier years, the family enjoyed many summers boating on the Mississippi River. Bill was also a lover of plants and trees. When he and Bernice lived in South Florida, he cultivated a collection of beautiful tropical plants. At their home in Nova Scotia, they enjoyed the rock garden and greenhouse that he built.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Buiten and Anne Visser Buiten, his wife, Bernice Ann Evenhouse Buiten, his sister-in-law, Carolyn Buiten, and his son-in-law, Robert Heath.

He is survived by his brothers, Paul Buiten and Roger Buiten; sister-in-law Barbara Buiten; daughter Lisa Marie Heath; daughter Cheryl Kay Carver and son-in-law Donald Carver; grandchildren Sara Carver, David Carver, Katherine Carver, Douglas Heath, and Julie Heath; and great-grandchildren Jane Fridsma, Toby Fridsma, Ruth Fridsma, and Violet Fridsma.

A graveside committal will be held on Thursday, July 22, at 10 am at Lakewood Cemetery in Holland, Michigan. Family and friends are invited to attend.