Wilbur "Will" Harvey

Will Harvey was a loyal, lovable man, who appreciated life’s little pleasures. From a can of Coke, to a good garage sale, to playing a song on his guitar, Will was always happiest with the simple things in life. Will was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a brother and friend to many. Most of all, Will was a man who lived simply and loved deeply, and taught us to do the same.

Will’s story began on a hot summer day in 1934, during the dog days of August in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were such difficult times in this country, during the thick of the Great Depression, and times were tough on many. Yet on August 17, 1934, Walter and Pearl (Fye) Harvey found a reason to feel doubly blessed, with the birth of twin boys, sons they named William Walter and Wilbur “Will” Duane.

Will and Bill were joined in the family home by their older half brother Walter Jr., who they called “Jun.” Eventually, the boys would have three more half-siblings, Rosa, Virginia and Norma, yet all the kids were very close-knit growing up. Naturally, Will was closest to his twin brother Bill, and throughout their lifetimes, it would be hard to find a photo of them without the other in it, as well.

When Will was just seven years old, he and his twin and their dad were in a bad car accident, after they were hit by a drunk driver. Will was seriously injured in the wreck, and spent the next two years in and out of hospitals as he recovered.

When Will was a young boy, he began uncovering his natural gift for music, and learning instruments just came naturally for him. Over the course of his life he taught himself to play the guitar, the organ, the harmonica, and even the accordion! He loved to play music and sing songs, usually inserting his own words into the songs as he went along.

As the years went along, Will eventually grew into a loyal, hardworking man, and he eventually found a good job at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Kalamazoo. He joined the Teamsters Local 7 union, and quickly realized he’d found himself a career.

His professional life now in place, Will’s personal life began to bloom, as well. When he was 32, Will married the girl next door, a young woman named Sharon (Munson) Flegel. It wasn’t long before the couple became parents, and soon found themselves with three fine children, Danny Lee, Gary Scott and Dawn Marie.

Will’s marriage to Sharon ended after about eight years, but his love for his kids never wavered, no matter what. He was a terrific, fun-loving father, never the disciplinarian, but a good dad all the same. Will and the kids spent lots of time with his brother Bill and Bill’s family, having picnics together or chasing each other around the house, having memorable water-balloon fights!

Will wasn’t meant to be alone forever, either. In 1977, he met a wonderful woman named Linda Bartos, through some mutual friends. The sparks flew between them, and they soon began dating and fell in love. Linda couldn’t help but love Will, who was such a caring, compassionate man. She saw how important Will was to the people who knew him, even if he could never see it.

Will and Linda were married on October 26, 1979; beginning many happy years together. This brought into the household, Linda's children, Doug and Mike. They settled in Portage, and he continued working at Coca-Cola, as loyal to his company as he was to his family and friends.

He loved collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, too (but truth be told, when it came to the drink, he actually preferred other brands!). One of Will’s favorite hobbies was going to garage sales, and he enjoyed getting up early on Saturday mornings to find the best items. Though he never met a garage sale he didn’t like! Especially if he got to add to his Coke collection.

He and Linda often went together, just as they did everything, it seemed. They especially enjoyed taking off for short trips around the state, staying in a hotel for a weekend getaway at many of Michigan’s great sites. They traveled a bit more after Will retired from Coke, after a 37-year career with the company.

In 2001, Will began having health problems, after a longtime battle with diabetes. He started kidney dialysis, and became very close with the people at dialysis in Oshtemo. Eventually, Will’s health worsened, and he needed more care than Linda could give him at home. So he moved to Tendercare of Portage, where the staff became like family to him, and where he made many friends. Will enjoyed playing dominos, bingo and cards with the other residents in the nursing home, ever a man of simple pleasures.

Sadly, Will passed away there on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at the age of 73.

Will was a wonderful man, a loyal, lovable husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved the simple pleasures in life, from a song on his guitar, to a sale in the yard, to most of all, the company of his family and friends. Will always lived simply, yet loved so deeply. Today his love, and his life, lives on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Will is survived by his wife, Linda, Three children: Danny Lee (Jennifer) Harvey, of Kalamazoo; Gary Scott (Joanie) Harvey, of Kalamazoo; Dawn Marie Harvey , of Kalamazoo; Two step children: Douglas Alan (Debbie) Clark, of OH; Michael Lee Clark, of OH; 8 grandchildren: Lindsey, Erica, Brianna, Michael Jr., Chesney, Doug Jr “Bubba”, Jacob, and Kala; One sister Virginia Hulet, of Kalamazoo; One Sister-in-law, Joyce Harvey, of Kalamazoo. Will also went through life with some special friends, Gale Mills, and Jim Kline.

Learn more about Wilbur, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the same location.

Please visit Wilbur’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online or make a memorial donation to the Kidney Foundation or Gideon International.