Rev. William Renkema

Standing before the Lord blameless today, because there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, is our fellow sojourner and loved one, Rev. William (Bill) Renkema. We give thanks to the Lord as he has shed his earthly tent and is now living eternally in his heavenly home; one not built with human hands. (2 Cor. 5) He lived his last days like he did his life; with a soul that  ‘longed for the courts of the Lord’. (Psalm 84) William lived a life of ministry as a pastor in Reformed churches and bore fruit into his old age professing; “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” (Psalm 92) While abiding in God’s deep love for him, William shared his joy, faith and ONLY comfort (Heidelberg Catechism #1) with others throughout his life as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, and pastor. In his retirement years, he was a faithful member of Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Hudsonville where they acknowledged his heavenly entrance with the beautiful and vivid hymn, ‘By the Sea of Crystal’.

William began his life’s journey on November 21, 1939, in Holwierde, Holland, to John and Anna Renkema. He lived through WWII and the hardships of that were etched in his young memories. He was nine years old when his family began their immigration to Canada and settled first by the town of Chatham, Ontario. After establishing themselves in Canada, he and his family began work for farmers in that area who planted sugar beets and corn. After years of farm work, school and attending church in Strathroy, Ontario, William felt called to the ministry. He left for Calvin College in 1958. He continued his education for the ministry at Calvin Seminary. It was during this time that he met his wife, Ann. She would become his lifelong ministry partner. Out of Seminary, their first charge was in Renfrew, Ontario Canada. From there, William and Ann would move and pastor seven more churches: Dundas Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Ontario, Alymer CRC in Ontario, Wyoming CRC in Ontario, Hull CRC in Iowa, Coopersville CRC in Michigan, Salem URC in Oregon, and Port Angeles OPC in Washington. In his retirement years, William and Ann settled in Hudsonville, Michigan. During his years of ministry, he had the pleasure of serving in Donetsk, Ukraine, teaching seminary students there. He also enjoyed his time serving on the board of Reformed Fellowship. William did not rest from the Lord's work in retirement as he preached in several vacant churches across the country, oftentimes residing in their empty parsonages until they found a shepherd to fill their pulpit. He and Ann even travelled to Florida and New Zealand to fill this type of need.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Renkema; son, Marc Renkema; parents, John Martin and Anna (Bremer) Renkema; brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Ann Renkema; brother, John Renkema; and brother-in-law, Klaas Leistra.

He is survived by his children, Renee (Ken) Anema, Steve (Anna) Renkema, Denise (Brent) Tjeerdsma, Joel (Sophia) Renkema, and Eric Renkema; daughter-in-law, Kari Renkema; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; siblings, Etty Leistra, Paul (Teresa) Renkema, Matt (Nelda) Renkema, Jean (Mike) Talsma; and sister-in-law, Wilma Renkema.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Cornerstone United Reformed Church, 6442 36th Ave., Hudsonville, with Rev. Ken Anema officiating. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, May 14, from 7-9 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary.