William Loveland

If the success of a man is measured in terms of lives touched, William Loveland leaves us with much to aspire for. He filled his days with a perfect blend of hard work and old fashioned fun, but it was the times that he spent with his family that he treasured most. With integrity and honor at his core, Bill proudly served his country during a time of need and in doing so, defended the freedoms we still enjoy today. A tenderhearted and attentive husband, Bill was blessed to share more than 60 years with the love of his life whom he selflessly cared for during her time of greatest need. A true blessing in the lives of many, Bill will be deeply missed while his legacy lives on in the lives of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he leaves behind.

The twenties were a time of growth and expansion in America as new innovation was taking us places we had never been. It was in 1924 that regular airmail service began in our nation and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade drew crowds to the streets of New York City for the first time. This was a year of great joy for one particular family in Paw Paw, Michigan, since it was on January 26th that they were blessed with a healthy baby boy. Baby William was welcomed into the world by his father and mother, Harold and Gretchen (Earle) Loveland, and was one of seven children in his family. Tragedy struck early with the death of his father when Bill was just five years old. As the prosperity of the twenties gave way to the hardship of the thirties at the hands of the Great Depression, Bill’s mother did her best to provide for her children after both her second and third husbands left the family. There were times that Bill and his brother Bob moved in with their aunts when needed. Many of his formative years were spent moving around between Paw Paw, Chicago, and Kalamazoo. Bill attended schools wherever he was living and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1939.

With his high school education behind him, Bill found work at Bronson Hospital and took some drafting classes, too. He later went to work at the Gibson Company, eventually moving into a drafting position. When he was laid off, Bill secured employment at Sutherland Paper.

Life was forever changed for Bill when he ran into his friend, Jack Conklin, at a party. While there, Jack introduced Bill to his wife June’s sister, Barbara Tidy. Although Bill was only 18 at the time, he felt an immediate attraction to Barbara. It was as though they were soul mates and just two weeks after they met, the couple eloped to Ohio and became husband and wife.

As a young husband, Bill was drafted into the Navy in March of 1943. He served aboard the USS Livermore (DD-429) Destroyer in the Atlantic, hunting and destroying submarines. While in the service, Bill received training as a hospital apprentice trained to work in the military pharmacies. He later served aboard the hospital ship, the USS Constellation, as an x-ray technician on tour in the Pacific Ocean as WWII drew to a close.

After being discharged on December 10, 1945, Bill returned home to his bride and resumed his work at Sutherland Paper. He worked as a printer at Sutherland, which later became James River Paper, throughout his entire career before retiring after 44 years of dedicated service. Together Bill and Barb were blessed with three wonderful children including David in 1945, Judy in 1947, and William in 1960. In 1958, they moved to a home on Pine Lake where they raised their active family and Bill was able to fish as often as he liked. The lakeshore lifestyle was one that suited their family well and also provided the backdrop for treasured times together. Bill was also active in 4-H and was a leader for the program in gun safety.

Although work was a necessary part of Bill’s life, he also found so many ways to enjoy himself. He liked to work in the garden and feed the white squirrels in his yard. Bill loved to take pictures and was so proud of his pictures of white squirrels and deer. He was an avid deer hunter and although he went hunting every year, he never once got a deer. There was one time that Bill shot a deer as it leapt over his head but since he only shot it in its gut, it was able to run away and they weren’t able to recover the deer with its huge rack. He continued to hunt into the sunset of his life with his 86th year being his last time out. Bill liked to keep busy polishing rocks and making jewelry, too. All of his creations became gifts for his family and friends. Even after he moved to Life Care Center of Plainwell, he continued polishing stones as the nursing home allowed him to bring the rock tumbler, noise and all along with him. After he retired, Bill joined the Seniors in Action group as well as volunteered at the West Michigan Cancer Center. He and some of his friends from the group formed a kitchen band that played at nursing homes and fairs. Bill was a part of the group for five years.

Changes were in store for Bill when Barb’s health began to fail. He dedicated his time to her care during this time, nursing her until her death in 2007. Bill was deeply saddened with her death, but he also knew that life was for living so each day became even more precious. With more free time, Bill took advantage of visiting with family members, often going out on weekly “dates” with them to restaurants around town. He loved being a grandfather and continued to be an active part of his grandchildren’s lives as well. He also took joy in being able to purchase himself a few things that normally Barb wouldn't have agreed to buy, including a golf cart that he loved driving around. He also attempted to purchase a motor scooter, however his three wheeled walker and two canes prevented the salesman from letting him have one.

Over the past eight months, Bill’s health began to decline, requiring him to move to Life Care Center of Plainwell. He received excellent care there and his spirits remained positive until he drew his last breath, just one day after his 87th birthday.

In everything he did, William Loveland carried himself with strength, generosity, and unconditional love for those around him. He viewed his family as his greatest gift, and he never took even one day for granted. Bill was easygoing and soft spoken, and he wholeheartedly applied himself to everything he did. With a lifetime of precious memories created with his family and friends, Bill will be deeply missed.

William H. Loveland of Plainwell died January 27, 2011. Bill’s family includes his daughter, Judy (Paul) VanDenBerg; his son, Bill (Bonnie) Loveland; his grandchildren, Michael (Chris) VanDenBerg, Robert (Stacey) VanDenBerg, Jason (Angie) VanDenBerg, Megan Loveland, Mark Loveland, Matthew Loveland, Jody Loveland, and Tina Lewis; his great-grandchildren, Christopher, Samantha, Tristan, Molly, Laura, Lexus, Joe, Vanessa, and Peyton as well as many other relatives. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Barbara in 2007, his son David Loveland in 2001, grandsons David Loveland Jr. & Doug VanDenBerg 5 brothers & 2 sisters. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). Burial with military honors will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Please visit Bill’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to Life Care Center of Plainwell.