William "Bill" Phelps

William “Bill” Phelps knew that hope and faith were key ingredients needed in life. Life ingredients to persevere in the most tragic of times, and even in the most joyous of times. Bill Phelps was a man who used his god given talents and resources for the benefit of his family, his friends, his co-workers and all those whose lives he touched and impacted.

The year 1945 brought hope for the United States as the end of World War II was declared and post war manufacturers tooled up and began producing consumer goods in volume. Americans were enjoying the post-war sounds of Doris Day, Bing Crosby and Perry Como on the radio. Gas was at 21 cents a gallon, a car sold for $1,250, and during the boom in housing, a new home was $10,131. But Charles and Wilma (Lawson) Phelps of Corbin, Kentucky were experiencing a boom of their own in the fall of that year, with the birth of their second child, a little boy they named, William, on October 8.

Bill and his younger sister, Linda, and eventually they welcomed their little brother, Dave. When Bill was nine, the Phelps family moved to Holland, Michigan, where they made their home at 12900 James Street. Bill’s father worked for the railroad, while his mother was employed with General Electric. He absolutely loved his mother’s homemade biscuits and gravy, as well as other family favorites. Faith was an important part of Bill’s growing up years. His family attended, and were faithful members of Rose Park Baptist Church.

A pretty typical kid growing up, and when not in school, Bill spent his days playing with the other kids in the neighborhood, going to the beach and developing a love for sports, especially basketball, football and baseball. He also loved to hunt and fish, which later in life became a great joy for him. Bill was definitely a sports nut and it was in sports that he truly excelled. While in high school, Bill not only lettered in basketball, but baseball as well. Following his graduation in 1963 from West Ottawa High School, Bill traveled south where he attended Tennessee Bible College for a time.

It was during these years of the Vietnam Era that Bill was drafted into the service. He served faithfully in the U.S. Army as a medic, where undoubtedly his heart and soul were forever changed. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he made his way back home to Michigan.

In 1977, Bill met a pretty girl named Janice. They dated for a while and were later married. Bill supported his young bride and soon, his growing family, by working at several different local factories. However, with the downturn in the economy and talks of recession, it seemed that every place that Bill found work, it eventually moved, closed, or went out of business. Bill did find work with General Electric in Holland, where he was employed for over 20 years, and where he served, over time, as union representative. He was even a past elected union president of Local GE 931. But as fate would have it, they were hit by economic struggles as well.

Bill found, possibly, his true calling when he went to work for his alma mater, West Ottawa Public Schools. It was here that Bill served in the capacity of custodian, but his work as custodian ended up having so much more meaning. His duties had him working at many of the various schools in the district, but he was not just a custodian, because he wore many hats in his line of work. Bill became a much loved and respected mentor, friend, and sometimes caregiver, to many of the students in the halls and corridors at West Ottawa, often lending a listening ear and welcoming heart when needed. Bill truly set an example for the students. It was not uncommon for him to help them, and he even took many of the kids hunting with him. After 15 years, Bill retied from West Ottawa in 2006, but always kept his time there, and the kids he met there, close to his heart.

Life took on new meaning when Bill and Janice became parents, and later with the joy of being grandparents. Bill’s grandchildren meant everything to him as did his faith and church family. The retirement years allowed Bill to spend more time with his family, and offered him more time for his passion of hunting and fishing. He did find time though, in 2000, to set a record in Irons, Michigan for a big buck, a ten pointer, where it even landed him on the Fred Trost TV show! It was just 2 weeks ago that Bill could be found hunting with his buddy and grandson, Austin, where together they brought down their big deer for the season.

With a cold winter storm making its way across Lake Michigan, Bill and Janice, along with some friends, were returning home last Thursday from vacation. While passing through Grand Rapids, and just a short distance from home, Bill was tragically killed in an auto accident.

Bill Phelps was enjoying life, his family, and had the key ingredients for a life well lived. He had the hope and faith to persevere during hardships, and set, by his example, the hope and faith needed to be content in the most joyous of times. Bill Phelps was a man who used his god given talents and resources for the benefit of those around him, and in the lives he touched and impacted. He will forever be missed and fondly remembered.

William “Bill” H. Phelps, age 63, of Irons, formerly of Holland, died Thursday, December 4, 2008. His family includes his wife of 31 years, Janice Phelps; son, Joe and Heidi DeZeeuw of Hudsonville, son, Jeremy and Odessa DeZeeuw Holland, and son, Mike and Erica Phelps of Grand Haven; six beloved grandchildren; his sister, Linda Welch of Holland; many in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Dave in 1999. Services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at The Northwood Chapel-Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Ave. Holland MI. Visiting will be from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at The Northwood Chapel. Memorials may be made to the American Breast Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Bill’s online guest book, leave a memory or to share a photo.