William Valencourt

William Valencourt was a devoted husband, a loving father and a fun-loving grandpa. A true outdoor sportsman, he never sat still for long. He was accepting of all people, making friends easily and making everyone he met feel special. A hard worker, Bill was always helping others in need, especially his family. He enjoyed his role of fatherhood, but one could argue that he enjoyed being a grandfather even more. He was a man of integrity and grit, yet knew how to have a good time. Bill lived his life to the fullest and his warm smile, kind heart and loving ways will be deeply missed for generations to come.

Reflecting on the 1920’s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge, aptly giving the decade the name of the Roaring Twenties. With the media focused on jazz music and celebrities, especially sports heroes and movie figures, by 1929 the industry was booming until the market crashed that fateful October. Born the same year as the comic character Popeye debuted, Joseph and Mary (Galberth) Wertz welcomed home their newborn son, William on Saturday, February 9, 1929 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the second eldest son in a family of ten children.

As a young child, he was baptized in his neighborhood lake; West Lake in Portage. Growing up around water seemed to naturally contribute to his love of the outdoors. One can only imagine the mischief he may have gotten into running around town with his siblings during his early years. In his later adolescent years however, he met the woman of his dreams, Shirley Haynes through a mutual friend. Their first date together was attending the Kalamazoo County Fair with Bill’s brother and his brother’s girlfriend at the time. Both couples seemed to enjoy that day as well as the other as they often reminisced about the fact that two marriages were the result! Shirley and Bill were quite smitten from that day forward and were said to be inseparable. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, they happily joined in marriage on September 27th of the year 1946. Bill and Shirley were true sweethearts and just recently the two of them celebrated their 70th year of marriage. It has been said that wherever one would find Shirley, they’d almost certainly find Bill as the two of them were very rarely ever apart. Over the years, together they raised four lovely daughters; Judy, Barbara, Bonnie and Linda. Bill relished his time with his children during their growing up years and especially loved celebrating the Christmas season with them. Watching them receive gifts, brought great joy to his heart.

Supporting his growing family, Bill worked as an assembler at Aeromotive Manufacturing in Kalamazoo for many years. He was well respected in his work, and he was known for being honest and genuine, developing many close work friends over his time there. Working with metal was not only his true gift, he enjoyed it immensely as well. A faithful country music fan, Bill was also a self taught harmonica player. He often shared his skill with the harmonica at family gatherings or by the campfire. Never one to remain idle, he enjoyed just about anything from fishing and hunting to riding four wheelers and dune buggies, earning him the nickname, Wild Bill. There was never a dull moment when Bill was around. The family enjoyed many years sharing time together at their cabin up in Irons, Michigan; a special place in Bill’s heart. He loved to go snowmobiling, camping and just enjoying the beautiful outdoors any place up north.

His grandchildren brought him great joy over the years. He loved to joke with them and had a real knack for children. He always told the best stories and taught his grandchildren everything he knew about fishing and the awesome wonder of the outdoors. Bill’s years were filled with many special memories and family times. In everything he did, it was clear to see the love and devotion that he had for his family. He loved everything about being a husband, father, and grandfather, and although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, it was his family that he treasured the most. His friendship, his laughter and his kindness will remain on the hearts and minds of many of his special friends and close family. Sadly, Bill passed away and he leaves behind many fond stories and rich experiences to cherish for years to come.

William T. Valencourt, of Vicksburg passed away on Sunday, October 16th, 2016 at the age of 87. Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley and four daughters; Judy (Charles) Fitzsimmons, of Baldwin; Barbara (Charles) Skuza, of Kalamazoo; Bonnie (Philip) Goodman, of Delton; and Linda (Terry) Johncock, of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren whom he adored. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 23rd at 3pm, at Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service starting at 2 pm at the funeral home. Please visit Bill’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read sign the guestbook and share a memory and/or photos. Those who wish, may make contributions to the charity of their choice.