Dr. William Lain Vander Vilet

Dr. William L. Vander Vliet, M.D., age 74, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, caring physician, and follower of Christ, died peacefully on May 3, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rita (Northouse) Vander Vliet. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Shirley Vander Vliet, his in-laws Ken and Mick Northouse, his sister-in-law Lori Harrington, and nephews Thomas VanWyk, Jeff VanWyk, and Nathan Northouse.
Born on January 2, 1950, in South Holland, Illinois, Bill moved to Hudsonville, Michigan in 1963. He graduated from Calvin College (University) and Wayne State University School of Medicine and subsequently completed a residency in Family Medicine in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following residency, Bill joined Rapids Medical Group in Big Rapids, Michigan. In 1986, Bill and Rita moved their young family to Holland where Bill joined Lakewood Family Medicine. Bill was dedicated to his patients and committed to his profession.
During his long career in Holland, Bill served as President of the Ottawa County Medical Society. At Holland Hospital, he served as Chief of Staff and on the Board of Directors. He also served on other boards including Hope for Kids – Mexico, Hospice of Holland, Reach for Recovery and the American Mission Hospital (Bahrain). Bill served 10 years as vice president of medical affairs at Holland Hospital. He was a volunteer for Community Action House, a past member of the Holland Chorale, a member of the Holland Professional Club, and an active member of Christ Memorial Church.
While Bill’s professional accomplishments spanned over four decades, being a Christ-follower and a loving husband, father and grandfather will be his legacy. In his professional and personal life, Bill was a man of integrity acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with his God (Micah 6:8). In the late 1990s and early 2000s Bill travelled with the Luke Society on multiple medical mission trips to Honduras as well as others to Guatemala. These trips provided medical care, dental care, home building, and evangelism to some of the poorer villages in these countries.
During their retirement, Bill and Rita enjoyed traveling throughout the world, volunteering, and gathering with family and friends at Silver Lake. Bill loved music, photography, and gardening. For over forty years he pursued the genealogies of his family’s families. He was an avid, life-long Chicago Cubs’ fan.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children Joel and Kelly (Hunt) Vander Vliet (Mila, Willow); Bethany and Colin Mulder (Abigail, Henry, Johanna); Rebecca and Brad Kuipers (Josh, Luke, Gabe, Sam); sister Vonna (David) Van Wyk; brother Brad (Darlene) Vander Vliet; sister-in-law Terri (Harlan) Byker; brother-in-law Ken (Cheryl) Northouse and brother-in-law Tom Harrington; and several nieces and nephews.
Our family is grateful for Bill’s Hospice of Holland team for the wonderful care they provided during Bill’s final weeks. To all of our friends, our family gives thanks for all your prayers, visits, cards, and expressions of care and love. You were a big part of Bill’s life. Bill was a better person because of all of you. To God be the glory!
Visitation will be at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, Holland, MI on May 8 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A private committal service at Pilgrim Home Cemetery will be followed by a memorial service on May 9 at 11:00 am at Christ Memorial Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Holland, Christ Memorial Church, or Friends of American Mission Hospital (Bahrain).