1928
C.
2011
C. William Bultema
August 3, 1928 — August 20, 2011
BULTEMA, C. William "Bill" Died the morning of 20 August 2011. He was born 3 August 1928 in Grand Rapids Michigan. He was married in Kalamazoo on 18 June 1949 to Agnes Strong. Together they had 5 children, Michael C. b 1950, Stephen C.b 1951, Kathy R. b 1952, Lynnette K. Abbate b 1956 and Mary Beth b 1958, d 1965. There are 6 Grandchildren, Jacob 1979, Nathan 1981, Nicholas Abbate 1983, William Abbate 1986, Madison Lopez 1989, and Miranda Lopez 1994. His mother was Ruth E. Verplank b 1899, d 1946, and his father, Carl Bultema b 1906-1986. Bill had 7 siblings, Phyllis Peters 1930, Lois Offet 1933, Dorothy Landells 1937, Gerald 1939, Robert 1948, James 1950, and John 1954.
Bill's grandfather Jacob Bultema immigrated to the United States in 1901 at the age of 19 from Uithuizen, Groningen, Netherlands. His mother's great grandfather Abram Verplank immigrated from Biervliet, Zeeland, Netherlands in 1854 and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan. At the age of 13 he was already working for his Father driving a coal truck for the family business, working alongside his Grandfather, Jacob 1882-1961, his Father Carl 1904-1984, and his Uncle Hank Doornbos 1906-1967. He did a brief stint in the Merchant Marines 1945-46. He continued to work on in to the 1970's for his father in the coal business and later for Bultema Landscaping. He joined the Kalamazoo Fire Department in 1954, retiring after 25 years of service to the community. A year after his retirement he was employed by Balkema Inc. where he worked for the next 26 years. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. He will be remembered by his family and many friends for his smile, kindness, strong will, pride in values and strength of character. The Family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the people at Bronson Hospital Acute Care Unit and Rose Arbor for their attention, warmth and loving care which they provided Bill during his final days.
Their compassion and dedication to helping us will live in our hearts forever. Friends may meet the family 4-7:30pm Wednesday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Bill will be laid to rest at Grand Prairie Cemetery in a private ceremony.
Bill's grandfather Jacob Bultema immigrated to the United States in 1901 at the age of 19 from Uithuizen, Groningen, Netherlands. His mother's great grandfather Abram Verplank immigrated from Biervliet, Zeeland, Netherlands in 1854 and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan. At the age of 13 he was already working for his Father driving a coal truck for the family business, working alongside his Grandfather, Jacob 1882-1961, his Father Carl 1904-1984, and his Uncle Hank Doornbos 1906-1967. He did a brief stint in the Merchant Marines 1945-46. He continued to work on in to the 1970's for his father in the coal business and later for Bultema Landscaping. He joined the Kalamazoo Fire Department in 1954, retiring after 25 years of service to the community. A year after his retirement he was employed by Balkema Inc. where he worked for the next 26 years. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. He will be remembered by his family and many friends for his smile, kindness, strong will, pride in values and strength of character. The Family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the people at Bronson Hospital Acute Care Unit and Rose Arbor for their attention, warmth and loving care which they provided Bill during his final days.
Their compassion and dedication to helping us will live in our hearts forever. Friends may meet the family 4-7:30pm Wednesday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Bill will be laid to rest at Grand Prairie Cemetery in a private ceremony.
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