William “Bill” Wiersma

With broken hearts we grieve the passing of “Bill” whose physical heart could no longer sustain his earthly life. His spiritual heart is beating beautifully in Heaven, with Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

Bill was born in Grand Haven, Michigan, to Richard and Aleda (Scholma) Wiersma on March 6, 1951. He grew up in the idyllic village of Lamont, Michigan. He attended Lamont Christian School and graduated from Coopersville High School in 1969.

Bill met Bonnie (Nederhood) at Keeler Brass Company. They were married on April 30, 1971. They consider it their 55th Anniversary even though it's short of a couple of weeks. Bill later became a tool and die maker at Autodie Corporation where he worked for 40 years, retiring in 2017. Bill and Bonnie had three sons, making a nice family of five.

Bill was into all things automotive and fabricating. He enjoyed designing many metal and wood projects over the years. Bill had been building his “dream” car in recent years until his health prevented him from finishing it in time to enjoy it.

Bill was very involved in West Leonard Christian Reformed Church where he had been a deacon and elder. He was everyone’s favorite greeter. He helped with neighborhood workdays where crews helped neighbors around the church improve their yards and homes when they could no longer do it themselves. The Diaper Depot was another of his helping projects to supply diapers to parents who needed them. He enjoyed grilling for the “Back to School” barbecue at West Leonard.

Bill and Bonnie enjoyed many great trips, especially since retiring, having gone to Greece, taken a Danube River boat trip, and visited Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, Spain, Route 66 and more.

Bill leaves his family to carry on his servant's heart. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Wiersma; sons, Rick (Lisa) Wiersma, Robb (Ann) Wiersma, Ryan (Ashley) Wiersma; grandchildren, Jacob (Kiley) Wiersma, Syndey Wiersma (Gage), Kelly Wiersma (Jason), Gabby (Quinton) Bernard, Dario (Emily) Campa, Ben, William, and Peter Wiersma, Jillian, Mallory, and Kate Wiersma; great-grandchildren, Breylynn Bernard, Kayce Wiersma, and another baby due soon; brothers, Russ (Mary) Wiersma, Larry (Donna) Wiersma; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ken Jeurink, Joanne (Ken) Vander Slik, Roger (Allene) Nederhood, Mike (Rose) Nederhood, Ken (Rhonda) Nederhood, Joel (Esther) Nederhood, Lavonne (Joe) Singer, Lynette (Gary) Gladu, Dan (Brenda) Nederhood; special nieces, Julie Vander Slik, Amy Vander Slik; and a huge tribe of nieces and nephews who were dear to him.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, at West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, 1053 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Henry Admiraal officiating. The burial will be held at Rosedale Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 22, from 5-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf, 6651 Scott St., Allendale. An additional visitation will be held on Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to West Leonard Christian Reformed Church for the Diaper Depot Ministry.