William "Bill" Pletcher

William “Bill” Pletcher, of Portage, Michigan departed this life on Friday, February 24, 2017, at the age of 94. Bill was born on October 29, 1922 in Berwyn, Illinois. He was the son of Lyle and Margaret (Hill) Pletcher. He graduated from Morton High School in 1940 and from Morton Junior College in 1942. Bill then served in the United States Navy as a medic during WWII on an LST Ship. He married LaVerne “Lovey” Phillips on July 17, 1944 while still serving in the war. Bill was very proud that he had the opportunity to serve his country. After discharge he received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Champagne-Urbana, IL and became a bacteriologist for The American Can Company. Later he went back to school at Western Michigan University for a Master’s Degree in Education. He worked as a principal for the Villa Park School District in Illinois until retirement in 1977. He and Lovey then moved to Michigan. They both enjoyed volunteering at the Portage Senior Center, organizing trips around the world.

Left to cherish Bill’s memory are his two children: son, Randy, and his wife Maureen, Pletcher, and daughter, Linda VanLiere; daughter-in-law Linda Pletcher; former son-in-law John VanLiere; former daughter-in-law Kathy; grandchildren: Emily (Laurence) Zemlick, Erin (Chad) Bartels, Christopher Pletcher, Timothy Pletcher, Sara Robles, Erin Williams, Dulcey Williams, Leif (George) Williams, Brit (Brian) VanKlooster and Seth Williams; great-grandchildren: Nora, Keegan, Carys, Greyson, Lucy, Penelope, and Guy; and his sister Betty Luttier. He is preceded in death by the love of his life of 72 years, LaVerne “Lovey;” son, John Pletcher; sister, Jean Tanton; and his parents.

Please visit Bill’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo and sign his memory book online. Those who wish may make a contribution to Rose Arbor Hospice or the Portage Senior Center.