Serving West Michigan Since 1899

Wilhart "Bill" Laaksonen

June 10, 1936 - June 17, 2016
Fort Myers, FL

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Visitation

Thursday, June 23, 2016
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Dykstra Funeral Homes
Mulder Chapel
188 West 32nd Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-2348
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, June 24, 2016
11:00 AM EDT
Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel
994 Paw Paw Drive
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 396-4949

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Resthaven Care Community
280 West 40th Street
Holland, MI 49423

Life Story / Obituary


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Wilhart (Bill) Stanley Laaksonen, Age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Shell Point Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida with his wife Bobbie by his side.

He was born June 10, 1936 to Uno and Alina Laaksonen in Kinross, MI.

Bill was a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the U.S. Army’s elite military formation. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his yard. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and boating. Bill also loved to do karaoke and was “famously” known as “Nashville Bill” by his karaoke friends. He was a truck driver for over 45 years logging over 5,000,000 accident free miles and owned 2 successful trucking businesses.

Helinda, his beloved wife of 40 years, preceded him in death in 1998.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Eugene, Alan and Leonard.

Bill will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Roberta (Bobbie), his children, Tammi (Dan) Napier and Kelly (Duane) Schaap; his grandchildren: Bill (Andrea) VanderYacht , Stephanie VanderYacht, Nicole Schaap and Ryan Schaap; brothers: Carl (Merle) Laaksonen and Dale Laaksonen; sisters: Marion Gill, Marlene Hiser and Bonnie Johnson; step children; Kym (Tom) Weber, Todd Levering and Dan Levering; step grandchildren; Chelsea, Dexter and Jade Weber, Sara Levering and Amber, Brittany and Cierra Levering; he will also be missed by his great grandchildren, several in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and his adored dog Dodger.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, June 24, 2016 at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 994 Paw Paw Drive, Holland, MI 49423. Interment will follow the service. Reverend Herbert Vander Bilt will be officiating.

Visitation will be from 6-9 pm, Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Resthaven Care Community.