William Western

William H. "Bill" Western, age 80, of Aiken, SC beloved husband of Sue Montague Western, died peacefully, Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers surrounded by his family. A native of Watervliet, MI, Bill was a son of the late Hans and Mary Louise White Western. He graduated from Watervliet High School in 1955 and enrolled in Kalamazoo College on a golf scholarship. He worked his way through college with Saga Food Service, graduating in 1959. While in college, Bill met his future wife, Sue, and went on their first date in 1958. They were married June 15, 1962. After college, Bill entered the Army and was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Bill and Sue were blessed with two sons, Deane Richard Western (Elizabeth), Bradenton, FL and Steven Jay Western (Allyson), West Bloomfield, MI; a grandson, Tyler William Western. He worked for Saga Food Service from 1960 until 1980 before starting his own company, Western Food Enterprises with two partners. Bill had a life-long passion for golf. He was very generous with his time mentoring junior golfers. He started playing when he was ten years old. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Kalamazoo Country Club and was a member of the Golf Association of Michigan. He was a member of the Florida State Golf Association and a member of the Society of Seniors, an association formed to provide strong competition for the finest senior amateurs. He was also a member of the Mid-Amateur Committee for the USGA for over 20 years. Many of his friends called him "Mr. Golf". Bill and Sue moved to Aiken in 2006 and he was a member of the Palmetto Golf Club. He knew how to be a true friend to everyone he came in contact with. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be Sunday evening, June 4th, from 6 until 8 o'clock at The Palmetto Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Aiken Junior Sports Association (known as "Hook a Kid on Golf"), 203 Club Villa Dr. W. Aiken, SC 29803 (www.aikenjuniorsports.org). Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 E Pine Log Rd. Aiken, SC.