Gerry "Bill" Barrett

Bill Barrett was a strong, supportive man, who happily helped everyone around him. He was a serious man, a hardworking family man whose sense of duty was always foremost in his life. Bill was a proud veteran, loving husband, father and grandfather, and a good friend to many. More than anything, Bill was a man with an iron will and a heart of gold, a heart he shared with all who knew him.

Bill’s story began on a cool winter day in 1947, as the snows began to fade in Portage, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, when our nation’s hardworking heroes returned home victorious from World War II, anxious to claim their share of the American Dream, beginning the Baby Boomer generation. On March 1, 1947, Delbert and Mary (Clancy) Barrett experienced a baby boom of their own, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Gerry William Barrett.

Bill, as he was always called, was the seventh of eight children in the large Catholic family, and he grew up attending St. Joseph Catholic Church. Of course, being from such a big family, Bill also spent plenty of days playing ball with his big brothers and many neighborhood friends.

Bill attended Portage Public Schools, graduating from Portage Central High School. He particularly excelled on the gridiron, and was even named captain of the Mustangs’ football team. He also fell in love with a beautiful young classmate named Sylvia Pruitt, and the two quickly became high school sweethearts, unaware of what the future held for them.

After he graduated from high school, Bill entered a plumbing apprenticeship, learning the trade with hands-on experience. Bill was always a hands-on kind of man, and the hard work suited his serious sensibilities.

Bill’s apprenticeship was interrupted, however, when his country called him to duty, to serve in the Vietnam War. Like so many young men of his generation, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966, and proudly served his country for the next two years overseas.

Bill returned home for a time in the spring of 1967, taking some much-needed R&R. He made the most of his time home, too, and he and his sweetheart Sylvia were married on April 1, 1967, before he had to return to the war.

When he came home for good a year later, the newlyweds settled in the charming, quiet Milwood neighborhood of Kalamazoo, anxious to begin their life together. It wasn’t long before the happy couple became parents, as well, with four fine children over the years, Amy Lynne, William Anthony, Mary Elizabeth and Luke Matthew.

Bill was a wonderful husband and an especially supportive father, who attended all of his kids’ school and sporting events. He was a stern and loving father.

Bill provided well for his family, and worked hard at everything he did. He worked for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 337, which eventually became Local 357. He was a proud, loyal Union worker, and enjoyed the variety in job locations working for the Union offered him. He especially enjoyed working at the Kalamazoo sewage treatment plant, and also at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in South Haven. He earned the nickname “Snoopy” from the other guys, teasing him about the way he looked while wearing a hat one day. It stuck.

Bill wasn’t all work and no play, of course. He was a serious man, and serious about his hobbies, too. He loved playing sports, being the natural athlete he was, and was a “ringer” on his union’s baseball teams through his 30s. Bill also bowled on many leagues and also with his children, and loved playing golf every chance he had, as well.

Bill’s hobbies didn’t end there, though. He was a quiet collector of things, from rare stamps to coins, mostly quarters, and his HO scale Lionel trains, too. He also enjoyed his share of snacks, and always seem to have a stash of M&Ms, peanuts, pretzels, or his favorite, Good ‘N Plenty.

Bill was a man of great character, and also conviction, a serious man with a strong will. He was a lifelong Catholic, and also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed helping people. He made charitable contributions to the firefighter and police officer associations, and was an ardent supporter of the Disabled American Veterans, as well.

Of course, family was always foremost in Bill’s life, and when his grandchildren began arriving, he couldn’t have been happier or more proud. He was a doting granddad, who loved spending time with the grandkids, ever the family-oriented man he was.

Bill took his well-deserved retirement in 2002, after 35 years as a plumber and pipefitter. His health began to slowly decline, as the years of hard work began to take their toll on him. Early in 2008, Bill’s health took a turn for the worse, and he sadly died on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at Bronson Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was 61. True to his helpful nature and sense of duty, Bill donated his eyes, to help someone in need.

Bill was a wonderful man, so generous and gracious, so strong and supportive of the people around him. He was a proud veteran and union member, a hardworking family man and loyal friend. Bill dedicated his life to serving others, from his country, to his community, to especially, his loving family, who carry his love and memory with them today. He will be greatly missed.

Visit with his family on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Portage; 5975 Lovers Lane where a funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Members of Bill’s family include his wife Sylvia, his children and their spouses Amy & Dan Farr, Bill “Tony” & Polly Barrett, Mary & Todd Osborn and Luke & Kim Barrett, his grandchildren Richard, Samuel, Grace, Alexander, Clayton, Harrison, Macy, Hayley, Asher and a new granddaughter who will arrive in November of 2008, his brothers and their spouse Jim & Phyllis Barrett and Nick & Sherry Barrett, his faithful canine Gizmo plus many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Please visit Bill’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or photo, sign his memory book online or make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.