William Hartzell

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William Ray "Bill" Hartzell at Bronson Hospital on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 after a decade long illness and several weeks in the hospital. Bill celebrated his 71st birthday exactly 3 weeks earlier at home with his three favorite little people, his grandchildren. Beloved husband and best friend, proud father and loving grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Judy Hartzell (nee Bainbridge), children Jason (Bethany) and Jacqueline Hartzell and grandchildren Cooper (13), Isabella (11) & Avilene (2) Hartzell. He is the son of the late Dorothy & Calvin Hartzell, preceded in death by brother Larry Hartzell & survived by sisters Sandy Schultz & Linda Towles. Born & raised in Three Rivers, Michigan, Bill graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1966. He served in the Navy from 1967-1971, during which time he married his childhood sweetheart, Judy Ann (Bainbridge) on October 30, 1970. In 1974, Bill graduated from Southwestern and began his career as a hog farmer in Marcellus, MI. His love for the land and hard physical labor served him well until 1985 when he moved his family to Kalamazoo and began a new career working as an architect designing laboratory animal enclosures and equipment for universities and hospitals all over the country. At the end of his career, he once again reinvented himself, starting his own remodeling business. A talented artist with a love for architecture, Bill became a finished carpenter and master tile setter. He was a quiet and kind man holding the highest integrity in business and in family life. He loved cruising in his 1960 red convertible Studebaker, watching old Westerns and reruns of Star Trek and spending time with his family. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Bill's life from 4:00- 7:00 pm, on Friday, February 1, 2019, at The Rock at Big Fish Lake, 14625 Loveridge Street, Marcellus, MI. Please visit Bill's personalized guestbook at www.langelands.com.