William E. "Bill" Painter

William E. Painter, Sr. (Bill), age 82, of Portage, Michigan, passed away on July 25, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bill was born in Prairie Grove, Arkansas on June 12, 1939, the son of C. R. and Wilma (Akin) Painter.

Bill graduated from White Hall High School in 1957. He worked at Fisher Body/General Motors as a Tool and Die Maker in Kalamazoo, Michigan over 30 years before his retirement. After retiring from General Motors, he decided he could finally concentrate on his love for WWII aircraft and began working for the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. He catalogued donations of uniforms, soldier's equipment, books, magazines and any other kind of donation for the museum and took pride in making certain he knew where every donation could be found after receiving the donation.

Bill 's whole adult life was spent working to take care of his family and taking what time he could spare to attending local air shows and enjoyed an annual trip to the Oshkosh Air Show. He often volunteered at the Kalamazoo Air Show and the Oshkosh Air Show for many years. He began recording the sounds of WWII Warbirds flying and began a small business called Photos and Sounds by Painter. Others who loved the sounds of these great aircrafts enjoyed listening to the tapes he created. Bill then went on to volunteer at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, where he shared his vast knowledge and love of automobiles by leading visiting groups to share his knowledge.

He loved to read both fiction and non-fiction and almost never went a day without reading and expanding his knowledge of everything. Bill was an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

On June 23, 1972, Bill married the love of his life, Sharon (Kievit) Painter, who survives him. He is also survived by his children Kimberly (Dave) Delger, Sherry Nieboer, David Reed, and
Mitchell (Catina) Painter; grandchildren, Amanda Underwood, Jonathan Delger, Anna Reed, Justin Painter, Summer Painter, and Andrew Painter; and many great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Michael A. Painter of White Hall, Illinois. Family was very important to Bill and he was an active supporter and follower of all of his grandchildren's activities through the years. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Darla (Painter) Evans; and a son, William E. Painter, Jr.

In accordance with Bill's wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Bill's life will be held at 11:00am Monday, August 2nd at the Langeland Family Funeral Home, 411 E. Centre St., Portage, MI 49002 with his nephew Pastor Chad Spencer officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to service time. A private family interment will be held in Portage South Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bill's memory may be directed to the Gilmore Car Museum.

Please visit Bill's personalized web page to sign his online guest book and leave a condolence or message for his family at: https://www.langelands.com