William Maze

Kalamazoo lost one of its most loyal advocates on July 3, 2017. On that day, William J. Maze, Jr., known to all as "Bill" passed away at Bickford Assisted Living in Portage, Michigan. Maze spent the first four years of his life in Dexter, Missouri, where he was born on July 12, 1932. His parents were William J., Sr. and Zola (Liles) Maze. At the height of the Depression, they moved to Kalamazoo to look for work. Bill attended Kalamazoo Public Schools. When he graduated, in 1950, he joined the Air Force. He served from 1950-1953 during the Korean War. Although trained as a Radar Mechanic, his most treasured memory was helping out at an orphanage that his unit sponsored. He always had a heart to help others. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Kalamazoo and worked at Fuller Manufacturing to put himself through college. While at Western Michigan University. He joined the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity and served as President of the Honorary Accounting Society. He graduated in 1959 with a B.B.A. in Accounting. After working as a C.P.A. for two different firms, he became the first Auditor of the new city of Portage, Michigan in 1964. Then he took a job as a Staff Auditor for the State of Michigan Treasurer in Lansing. In the 1970's he became a 6th grade teacher for two years. When he decided that wasn't for him, he found real estate. He was one of the developers of Bronson Woods, the first upscale condominium project in Kalamazoo. In 1979, he ran for a seat on the Kalamazoo City Commission and won. When asked why he wanted to take on the responsibility of being a Commissioner, he responded, "I love Kalamazoo. I want to make whatever contribution I can back to the city which has given me so much." He made good on his pledge to contribute to Kalamazoo. In addition to being a City Commissioner, he was involved with the following organizations: Rotary Club, Downtown Kalamazoo Association, Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, Central City Development Committee, Railroad Consolidation Committee, and the Airport Advisory Board. Over the years, he was President of the YMCA Board of Directors, Director of the Western Michigan University Foundation and a trustee at First Presbyterian Church. In addition, he was the General Chair of a committee that raised $6.1 million for the 75th Anniversary Development Program of the Kalamazoo Symphony. Mr. Maze also never forgot what it was like to be a struggling student, and touched many students' lives by donating to the Robert B. Wetnight Accountancy scholarship at Western Michigan University. Bill enjoyed big band and classical music, golf, theater, classic movies, warm weather, sun and spending time with his friends. He was a fanatical supporter of University of Michigan and Western Michigan University football and basketball. He loved to travel and especially loved the Southwest, in particular Arizona. He lived in New Mexico for a time, but decided he really missed friends and family in Kalamazoo. So he returned to live in Friendship Village. In a lifetime, we are lucky to have even one true friend. Bill had two lifelong friends that were very close to his heart: Dean Lewis and Jim Platt. Their friendship meant the world to him. And in spite of poor health for many years, another treasured friend, Al Heilman, made sure Bill could attend his weekly meeting of "The Board" on Friday mornings at the Blue Dolphin restaurant. The "Board" included his friends Don Everts, Al Heilman, Jim Holtgreive, Jerry Meinzinger and John Merrion. He truly enjoyed those gatherings. He will be fondly remembered by his son, Jerry A. Maze, and his daughter, Karen L. (Maze) White, both of Kalamazoo. His grandchildren, Brandon M. White and Desiree N. White will particularly miss spending time with him. Mr. Maze's wish was to be cremated and interred in the Columbarium at First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo. There will be an informal gathering for friends and family from 2-4 PM on Sunday, July 16, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo. Memorial contributions may be made to support the care-workers at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo and Bickford Assisted Living in Portage. The family thanks them from the bottom of their hearts for the loving care they showed to their father and grandfather. Please visit Bill's personalized webpage for directions or to leave a condolence to his family at www.langelands.com.