James K. Willette

Jim left us to tell stories in Heaven on Tuesday evening July 31, 2018. He leaves a daughter Cari {Bill} Roberts; granddaughter Katie {Tim} Sparks and a son Douglas James Willette. Greeting him in heaven and anxious to hear his new stories is his wife Toni who preceded him in death in 2017. Jim was born and raised in Flint Michigan and then went on to serve honorably with the U.S. Army Air Corps. After serving, he attended W.M.U. taking business classes and hoping to pursue a goal of playing professional baseball as a third baseman. He graduated with a Business degree in 1950. After a whirlwind romance, Jim married Toni in 1952 and their lives exploded with making memories. The first memory was taking his Chicago bride to tiny DeBeque, Colorado population 200, where he taught school and played cowboy. After a year, they came back to Kalamazoo where he began his career as an accountant, controller, and V.P. of Finance until retirement. Jim served his profession as president of the Kalamazoo National Association of Accountants {NAA}, and his community as President of Allegan County United Way. Though things did not work out with baseball, Jim continued his love of sports by serving for decades as a High School Official in Football, Basketball, Baseball and community fast pitch softball. In his later years, who can forget his secret weapons and constant chatter when on the golf course? Exhausted, Jim sat down to write books and was working on a sequel when the Lord called him home. Jim was an interesting real character who cherished life, the one who stirred the pot and loved to tell stories. A memorial service will be held 11 o'clock Saturday, August 11th at Grace Harbor Church, 811 Gorham Lane. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will take place in Fort Custer at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Harbor Church or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com.