William Glenn Gruppen – 78
“Chief”, (as he was affectionately called by many) went peacefully to his heavenly home on Friday afternoon, April 16, 2021, surrounded by his wife and 3 sons.
Bill was a great community servant, he served on the Zeeland Fire Department for 52 years, with 39 years in the leadership role as Chief. He retired in 2016. Bill loved the Fire Service he also served in a leadership capacity for the State of Michigan. Bill was the President of the Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, the Chairmen of the State Fire Safety Board where he received a Governor’s Appointment for 13 consecutive years. President of the West Michigan Fire Chiefs and Ottawa County Chiefs. He was so proud to be part of the Zeeland Fire/Rescue Department and valued each member.
Bill worked full-time for 41 years at Herman Miller, Inc. He loved great design and valued the amazing talent that the local Corporation brought into Zeeland. He loved hosting many designers and clients that came from all over the world, his home and heart were always open to great conversations and learning from people with varied backgrounds and interests. He loved sharing both early Zeeland and Herman Miller history! He loved painting pictures, he preferred abstracts using bold colors and design, he also built and ran model train layouts, he loved running his Lionel trains with his grandchildren!
Bill was competitive and loved to participate in organized sports, he played Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Church Golf League, and Herman Miller Bowling League for many years! He was happiest when his home was filled with family around the Sunday dinner table, keeping in touch was important to him! Having many grandchildren living so close was a blessing, but they always had competition as to “who” was their grampa’s favorite!
Bill and his wife Sally raised their four children in Zeeland, he has lived his entire life within the Zeeland City limits! Bill was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church, creating a family legacy of faith, love, and selfless giving and volunteering, he led by example, he encouraged his children and grandchildren to be hard honest workers, and always stand strong for what they believed in! Encouraging his family to be kind, always respecting others, and to live a life full of integrity, all things he strived to be himself every day!
Even though he led a busy life of working and volunteering, he always had time for each of his family members and encouraged all their friends to feel welcomed in his home!
He loved telling stories and helping people simply “figure out life”!
Bill was recently predeceased by his Daughter Jodi (Kirk) Kraai, Grandson, Zachary Kraai, Parents, William and Gertrude Gruppen, sisters: Helene Woudwyk and Glady (Carl) Van Dyke, mother and father in law, Lloyd and Joyce Plewes.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally (Plewes) Gruppen, and sons: William T. (Buff) and wife Cindy, (Breanna Gruppen, Bryce Gruppen, Brynzee Gruppen, Britta and Brett Brenner(Ryleigh and Liam), Montana Lloyd, Cole Lloyd, Gavin Lloyd; Toby and Michelle, (Luke Gruppen, Ella Gruppen); Mike and Jenny, (Alyssa Gruppen, Abby Gruppen); son-in-law, Kirk Kraai, (Kylea and Jim Green (Deklen, Maxwell, Myla); Jonathon Kraai; Madison and Josh Blanton (Sullivan, Corbin); In-laws, Thomas and Liz Plewes; Rosemary and Thomas Bloemsema; Alexander Plewes; Lloyd and Gretchen Plewes; several nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life service honoring Bill’s life, led by his 3 sons, will be held on Saturday, April 24, at 1:00 pm at the First CRC in Zeeland, 15 S. Church Street, Zeeland 49464. The service will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0c2xaD2qOerxAa93Qw0gwg/featured
Visitation to be held on Friday (April 23) from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the Bridge Youth Ministry Center, 210 East Main Ave., Zeeland. Visiting also on Saturday morning from 11:00 am- 12:00 pm at First CRC with a short break for a family before the funeral. (Facial coverings and social distancing observed/required at a visitation, all current church worship restrictions will be observed during the funeral service.)
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) at 85 East 8th St. Ste. 110, Holland, MI 49423 for the Bill and Sally Gruppen Family Fund to benefit the City of Zeeland Fire – Rescue.
Arrangements by Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland MI 49464.
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