William Becker

William K. Becker was born in Kalamazoo on April 10, 1931, the son of Rodger F. Becker and Mildred T. Turner, and lived almost his entire life in Kalamazoo County. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger. He is survived by his wife, Linda; brother Tom of Tucson, AZ; daughters Julie Connors and Molly Becker of Tucson, AZ, and Dr. Stephanie Morley (Brent DeLaBarre) of Brighton, MI; sons Charley Becker of Grand Rapids, MI, and George Becker of Boise, ID; step-son Brett Plew (Wendy); seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and honorary sons Raymond C. Claiborne, MGySgt. USMC Ret'd. of Springs, TX, Joseph Reed (Teri) of Elkhart, IN, Roger Burrows (Vicky), BGen, Ret'd. ANG of Highland, MI and Brent DeLaBarre (Stephanie Morley) of Brighton, MI.

Bill was a graduate of Michigan State University and enjoyed a varied and productive career, including service as CEO and director of numerous companies. Much of his business life dealt with rebuilding troubled companies but, among a wide range of other business endeavors, he also was a general partner in the development of Woodbridge Hills in Portage, a founding director of Arcadia (now Huntington) Bank and was active in the formation of SPCA of Southwest Michigan as well as the Kalamazoo County Animal Services Advisory Board, serving as its first chairman. He was a charter and life member of the Kalamazoo Detachment of the Marine Corps League, a co-founder of Southwest Michigan Young Marines and a life member of Disabled American Veterans. For many years he served on the Kalamazoo County Veteran Affairs Committee, was a volunteer at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek, and a committed mentor and tutor at elementary schools among many other volunteer endeavors.

During his lifetime Bill earned a number of titles, but the one that meant the most to him was that of United States Marine. He served in combat in Korea and for the rest of his life was quietly but intensely proud, not of anything he did, but of the Corps of which he was a part. Bill never took himself too seriously, had little time for political correctness and reverence, tended to avoid the limelight and measured his success in terms of his contribution to the success of others - he firmly believed in counting his blessings and in giving back. Bill cherished his wife, his family and his friends. He never got old, maintained a quick wit and loved fun stories, history, hunting, chain saws, dogs, his life, his country and the Corps.

At Bill's request, funeral services will be held in the late spring or early summer. Please email his son Charley at charleybecker33@yahoo.com should you wish to receive more detailed information regarding the funeral arrangements.

William's family has entrusted his care and services to Keehn-Griffin Funeral Home, Brighton. Share a Memorial Tribute with the family at www.keehngriffinfuneralhome.com