Howard W. "Bill" Moerdyk

Moerdyk, Howard W. "Bill" Kalamazoo Passed away Wednesday morning, October 19, 2022. Bill was born in Kalamazoo at Borgess Hospital on Friday November 29, 1940 at 7:42pm to Howard Burton Moerdyk and Barbara (Page) Moerdyk Ferguson, both now deceased. He attended schools in Kalamazoo, Burke Acres and Richland using his stepfather's name Ferguson. He then moved to Plainwell in 1956 and began using his surname, Moerdyk. He graduated from there in 1958 as Salutatorian. He continued his education at IBM's College of Automation in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from WMU with a BBA in Accountancy. He worked in the paper industry, R&D, restaurant management and accounting before becoming involved in education. He started as an adjunct faculty member at Davenport College in Kalamazoo, later becoming their Dean of Finance and Business Manager of 3 satellite campuses in South Bend, Merrillville, and Grand Rapids. In 1985 Bill was transferred to the Detroit College of Business side of Davenport Schools as VP of Business Affairs and CFO. He retired in 1992 with Emeritus status. Over the years he was a member of many professional and service organizations: TAPPI, CUPA, MICUPA, IAAM, and Suburban Kiwanis. In 1973 Bill followed in his grandparent's footsteps in Fraternal life as they were a Mason and Eastern Star in Paw Paw and Lawton in 1985. Bill joined Fidelity Lodge No. 513 F&AM and served as Worshipful Master in 1979. He was also a member of Saladin Shrine AAONMS and a Past President of the Kalamazoo Shrine Club. He was a Hospital Dad for the Shriner's Hospital for Children of Chicago. His real love for Fraternal life really began when he joined Loyalty Chapter No. 491, Order of the Eastern Star in 1973. Through the years he held many offices in his local Chapter, County and District Associations. He transferred his membership to Bedford Chapter No. 471 and was a dual member in Ft. Myers Chapter in Florida. In 2004-05 he was Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Michigan; the oldest Grand Jurisdiction having been formed in 1867. Following that year, he served on several committees and was President of the Educational Board for 6 years. He was proud of the fact he had not missed an annual session of the Grand Chapter since 1973. Bill went on to serve the Order as a member of the Payroll Committee for 3 years and the International Peace Garden Chapel Committee of the General Grand Chapter for three years, the International governing body. For many years Bill was active in Unity Church of Kalamazoo, but in recent years he attended St. Andrew Community Church. He is survived by his closest friend and business associate for the past 38 years, Max A. Pugh and Max's two sons Jeff and Tim; his half sister Teddy B. Brandon; and nieces and nephews. Although Bill was married twice, he had no children but considered all his Fraternal Families as his sisters and brothers. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. To view Bill's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com