Willadean Gallert

Billie (Wenger) Gallert, age 90, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2016. She rests now in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle "Doc" Gallert; father, Allen P. Wenger; mother, Catherine Wenger Walkowiak; brother, Wayne; sister, Jacqueline; brother in law, Norman MacIver and son in law, Richard Zimmerman. She is survived by her daughters, Terri (Doug) Verburg, Karen (Wes) Haney, Sharon Zimmerman and partner, Phil Walldorff. She was a loving grandmother to 8 grandchildren, Jordan (Annee) Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Katherine, Stacey (Todd) Anderson, Troy (Lorrie) Haney, Marc (Andrea) Zimmerman, Chad (Mindy) Zimmerman. Billie was blessed with 16 great grandchildren, Travis (Con), Taylor and Tucker Anderson, Landen and Audrie Haney, Mariah, Dru, Bronce, Chrisitan, Kyle Jr. Casiphia, Kyle and Remy Johnson, Mathew (Erica) Kylie and Dominik Zimmerman. Billie, a Grand Rapids native has been involved in the hospitality business for 54 years, starting at the age of 13 in one of her family's bowling/restaurant combinations in Grand Rapids. Her father Al Wenger owned and operated such businesses as Wenger's recreation, the Ten Pin, 20 Century Lanes, Rocket Restaurant and the Comet Lanes. Her mother, Catherine, owned and operated the Terrace Gardens Night Club. Billie learned entrepreneurship and the importance of the personal touch in business from her parents. Billie was manager and part owner of the Comet Lanes and Restaurant from 1966 to 1973. Billie then took three years off and spent part of the time on her 43- foot cruiser, which she docked in Saugatuck and traveled. Ready to get back to work, Billie began looking at business opportunities in the resort town of Saugatuck and Douglas. In 1976 she opened "Billie's Boathouse". Her adventurous spirit led her to expand the Boathouse twice and purchased additional property on the next corner to erect another beautiful building housing two condominiums on the upper level and four shops on the lower level. One would become her very own dress shop, "Aspirations". After 17 years Billie retired to her home on Longboat Key, Florida. Billie shared the last 10 years of the life with her beloved children in Grand Rapids. Billie will be thought of often and her laughter and her love of life will be remembered. She will be missed everyday. Honoring her wishes, there will be a private family service and a celebration of her life this summer during her favorite season of the year and with the family she loved. To share a photo or memory and to sign the family's online guestbook, please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Willadean "Billie" Mary Gallert please visit our Sympathy Store.