Wilford DeVries

DeVries, Wilford A. (Bud), age 90, went to be with his Lord on November 13, 2020 after a short battle with COVID-19. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sydney, in 1996, after 39 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Theresa, in 2017.

Wilford was a United States Marine, having served in the Korean Conflict. After leaving the military, he worked at Leedy Manufacturing for a number of years. Then he moved on to work for General Motors Corporation as a machinist, for 25 years, before he retired. Wilford was honored by Governor Jennifer Granholm, who in 2005 personally awarded him a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle during the UN Offensive into North Korea.

Wilford enjoyed spending time with his family. He spent a number of years gardening at his home near Richland where he had acres of strawberries and asparagus. After he married his second wife, they moved to the Gun Lake area where he enjoyed fishing and getting together with family and friends to play cards.

Wilford will be lovingly remembered by his sons Scott (Vicky) DeVries, Steven (Linda) DeVries, David (Carolyn) DeVries, Dean (Alicia) DeVries, and Dale (Penny) DeVries; and stepsons Roger (Mary Jane) Merren, Ronald (Cathy) Merren, Robert (Darla) Merren, Richard (Janet) Merren, Randell (Mary Jane) Merren and Russell (Beth) Merren. He is also survived by a brother, Norman (Shirley) DeVries; sister-in-law, Marie (Joe) Rybiski; and brother-in-law, Philip (Lavonne) Chenier. He will be remembered by his grandchildren for his "tell it like it is" attitude.

The family wishes to thank Byron Manor for giving our dad a place to call home for the last few years. We would also like to thank the staff at Mercy Health St. Mary’s for taking such loving care of our father during his final days when we could not be with him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wayland VFW Post #7581 or the Dorr American Legion Post #127. A memorial service and fellowship will be held in the spring of 2021. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.kubiakcookdorr.com.