William Walters

Will Walters was a warm, talented man who embraced life and those around him until his last days. And while he prided himself in paying attention to details in the world around him, it is his creativity and freedom of expression that will be embedded in the memories of those that loved him most.

In the year that the number of U.S. troops rose to 400,000 in Vietnam, and on the same day that World War I ended 48 years earlier, November 11, 1966 was the very special day that William Walters was born in Zeeland, Michigan to John and Sharon (Zietlow) Walters. While growing up with his only sibling, his brother Dirk, Will acquired a love for the great outdoors and would have stayed outside 24 hours a day if he could. Will loved Michigan and would remain a resident of the Holland-Zeeland area his entire life.

During high school he had a co-op at Henry House in Holland and graduated from Zeeland High School in 1985. Later Will worked at ODL, but also worked as an interior painter for Brian Cook Builders. He then worked at Signs Now and was currently working at Holland Pattern Company when he passed away. Will was a very precise person and perfectionist at any job or task he performed. But it is hard to pigeonhole him into one career or line of work. He was so talented in so many different areas that he could not be slipped into just one arena of expertise.

When Will was 25 years old, he met the women who would love him for all of his talent and warm, his future wife, Molly McVay. On October 15, 1993, Will and Molly were married in Holland. Molly, who is originally from Ohio, spent many of her best times with Will sharing his love for the great outdoors.

Not only did Will like experiencing the wilderness by camping, fishing, bow hunting, deer hunting, collecting and searching for artifacts like arrowheads, Petoskey stone, he also loved to sketch what he saw. He collected the Petoskey stones and polished other types of rocks as well. He loved to sketch and photograph things and always had that sketchpad with him and trips and vacations, in case a moment of inspiration seized him.

Most of his sketches and painting were done from photographs he would take on these trips. If it was possible, he would have captured all of the beauty he saw outside and brought it inside with him so it was always with him and he would never have to leave the outside world. Will was also a big water fan and loved kayaking on lakes and rivers. His three favorite places were his father’s cabin at Stony Lake where he and Molly liked to spend vacations and weekends; Pere Marquette; and Panama City Beach in Florida. Like any loyal outdoorsman, Will was a dedicated grill man and actually built his own on the side of the house off of the deck. He was so proud of his outdoor grill pit, and used it to cook his favorite food, steak.

When Will had to be indoors, he would enjoy his favorite movie, "Arthur" with Dudley Moore, and listen to his favorite classic rock bands, like Boston or Van Halen. He also spent time inside the Grace Episcopal Church in Holland, of which he was a member.

When his brother Dirk Walters died on October 30, 1998 from diabetes, he left behind two sons, Mark and Mike, who Will loved very much. He enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his mother-in-law, Betty, who claimed Will was a wonderful man for her daughter and the best handyman she had ever known. His pet was a Siberian Husky named Nanook, one of his most loyal companions, just one of many animals that Will and Molly took into their home to care for.

Will loved unselfishly, even during his sickness. Will maintained a very positive attitude through his sickness, often thinking of others rather than himself. During recent times while battling cancer he would find comfort in watching movies, like "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns". But, as was always the case, being outdoors and working in the yard made him feel the best during his illness.

Will passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2003, from cancer, in his own home, with the love of his family surrounding him. Will, the contagious optimist, left this world with visions and pictures in his head of all of the beautiful memories of his life; the rivers he kayaked, the fish he caught, the perfect Flintstones-size steak he grilled to perfection, his father’s cabin, and the greatest day of his life, the day he married his wife Molly, who was at his side all along the way. Will is survived by many that will always feel his presence in their lives: his wife: Molly McVay-Walters of Holland; Father: John and Mary Walters of Borculo; Mother: Sharon Morrill of Grand Rapids; Mother-in-law: Betty McVay of Holland; Sister-in-law: Marilyn Michielsen of Holland; Marcia Van Ommeran of Tucson, Arizona; Nephews: Mark and Mike Walters; his niece: Mary Little; as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 12:00 pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Holland. Officiating will be the Rev. Thomas Toeller-Novak. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Holland. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11-12 prior to the service.

To read William’s life story, send flowers, or to make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association please visit www.lifestorynet.com. Arrangements are by the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes Inc., 295 Douglas Ave.