William (Bill) Ashby, 68, of Zeeland, MI went to Jesus on Thursday, July 25, 2024 due to complications following a massive heart attack on July 6.
Bill was born in Pontiac, MI on May 5, 1956 as the youngest of five children. He graduated from Walled Lake Central High School in 1974 and then Hope College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. In 2001, Bill earned a master’s degree in music education from GVSU. He enjoyed a wonderful career as a K-6 music teacher in Jenison public schools for 30 years and retired in 2010. He always spoke of the amazing staff he had the honor of working with there.
Bill was married on May 21, 1977 to his soulmate Norma O’Brien in Petoskey, MI. They had two sons, Seth and Benjamin, and raised their family in Zeeland, MI. Seth is married to Miriam Esper Ashby with their five children Elijah, Isaiah, Emmanuel, Liam, and Linus. Benjamin is married to Kimberly Venema Ashby with their two children Samuel and Theodore.
Bill loved singing, playing tenor recorder and handbells which he did faithfully in their church. He also sang in the Holland Chorale, as well as the barber shop quartet, Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. He was a Deacon in the church and had an unshakable faith. Bill enjoyed traveling with Norma, spending time with his family and friends, as well as gardening, hiking, trees, rocks, model trains, and generally being outdoors.
Besides his wife, children, and grandchildren, Bill is survived by his four siblings: Lynne (Robert) Krainer, Marjorie Steiner, Jack (Mary Pat) Ashby, and Terry (Douglas) Larkin along with many dear nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by so many cherished friends that he considered family. He was preceded in death by his brother in law, Rev. James Steiner, as well as his niece, Anne Steiner.
Friends may greet the family Friday, August 16 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Dykstra Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave in Holland. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 11:00 AM at First Reformed Church, 630 State St. Holland, MI. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be blessed by donations in memory of Bill Ashby to the Mariucci Family Beacon House in Marquette, MI, 200 South Seventh St. Marquette, MI 49855. (https://upbeaconhouse.org) The Beacon House fed, housed, and counseled Norma, family, and friends for almost three weeks while Bill was in the ICU. The Ashby family cannot thank them enough.
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