William Talsma

At a young age, he made the most important decision of his life to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and you can too. He was passionate about serving Him faithfully his entire life. He has reunited with Barb, family, and friends that passed before him. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. His absence is deeply felt by his loved ones and all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him.

Bill was the youngest of 14 children of George and Anna Talsma. Bill was born April 2, 1934, at home on the Talsma farm, corner of 122nd and 9th street, Shelbyville. When old enough, he began doing daily farm chores. When chores were done, he would return to the house to enjoy a hot meal his mom had prepared. He often shared how proud he was when his dad let him drive the horses and later the trailer. His first car was a 1942 Ford Coupe.

His first employment was at the Kalamazoo Stationery Company; then he enlisted in the Army, trained to navigate and drive armored tanks. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged. He then began classes at Western Michigan University. To speed up his education, he attended summer classes at Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. When deciding his major, his professor advised him to major in math, Bill’s most difficult subject. Bill chose math! Bill always understood struggling math students and helped them achieve their goals. One of Bill’s students received the coveted Michigan High School Math award.

Bill fell in love with Barbara Hybels. They eloped on July 20, 1957, in Angola, Indiana. They shared many wonderful years together until her passing in 2004. Together they raised four children: Jeffrey (Talsma), LouAnn (Bishop), Bonnie (Anderson) and Kathy (Scoby). While raising their children, he earned his BA degree from WMU. Bill drove the East Martin CRC student bus to Kalamazoo Christian High School; he attended classes at WMU and then drove the students home. East Martin CRC School only had K-8th grade classes. He demonstrated a passion for lifelong learning by earning his MA degree from WMU. He began teaching math at Roger’s High School where he spent his entire 29-year career. Bill also spent time as an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University where he taught nights and weekends for 16 years until he retired in 2006. He was a census taker for a year; he spent harrowing summers teaching driver’s education and many summers working for Reith Riley Asphalt Paving as an estimator. Bill and Barb enjoyed the beautiful log home with a stone front fireplace that he built in the woods on Payne Lake Road. Entertaining cookouts and family reunions took place at the “cabin." He enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren play their favorite sports, including wrestling and often was score keeper. They enjoyed their many vacation trips to South Padre Island. While traveling abroad in Ireland, he kissed the Blarney Stone “upside-down." He was thoughtful of others, kind, generous, and would stop, greet them, shake hands, as well as give hugs, a true gentleman.

Bill was later blessed with Living Connections group finding love again and married JoAnne Woods on September 2, 2006. Bill and JoAnne, nearly 20 years together, enjoyed adventures and celebrations with their blended families. He loved the outdoors; watching his garden and trees was a great joy to him. Clearing the woods was a task he loved. He looked forward to lunch dates, playing many games (his favorite was Pegs and Jokers), with Charlie and Dorothy Shaffer as well as special friends John and Mary Kleinbrink. One season he played senior Kentwood softball, sliding into first base face down. OUCH! He made lifelong friends with his bowling buddies. When he retired, he again played golf. He shot a hole-in-one at Hickory Ridge Golf Course on July 12, 2012.

He served the Christian Reformed Church as a deacon and an elder. Woodworking was his passion. He built many things for his church and others. Bill and Barb organized a Young at Heart group, and he was known as the dinner roll maker for their luncheons. For the new church, he planned to build the steeple but, with so many regulations, he provided the steeple and watched it installed. The lighted steeple, at night, is pointing towards the heavens. He worked with the Christian Reformed Church disaster response services rebuilding damage after hurricane Katrina.

He checked off his to-do list, July 12, 2014, a ride in a four-seat single engine plane at a Hastings Dawn Patrol breakfast. Bill and JoAnne enjoyed many trips. Happy memories include the Rose Bowl parade, mountain ranges, Alaska, New York City, Broadway musicals, dinner theaters, and many mystery trips.

Bill loved his Lord, family, relatives, and friends. You have each been an important part of his life. Remember Bill’s working hands, best times, laughter, a good life. No longer can we see or hug him. Nothing can heal such a loss, but he lives in our hearts forever and left memories no one can take away. The best gift you can receive is to find salvation through Jesus Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barb; and 13 siblings. Bill is survived by his wife, JoAnne; son, Jeffrey (Christie) Talsma; daughters LouAnn (Bishop), Bonnie (Steve) Anderson, and Kathy Jo (Doug) Scoby; stepdaughter, LeAnne (Mitch) Wyant; special nephew, Budd (Kim) Hybels; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jan Talsma; former daughter-in-law, Kathy Sue Babcock; many nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to honor Bill’s request to extend heartfelt thanks for his compassionate care at Corewell Health-Pennock, Thornapple Manor Rehab, and Serenity Village, Hastings.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home (Wayland Chapel), 312 N. Main St., Wayland. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Wayland Christian Reformed Church, 303 E. Elm St., Wayland, MI, with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

The family invites you to a luncheon immediately following the service prepared by the kitchen committee. You are invited to join the family at Coman Cemetery, Yankee Springs for a committal service, Jerry Zandstra presiding.The family welcomes memories and messages www.kubiakcookwayland.com in their guestbook online. Those desiring to make memorial contributions can be given in his name to charities of your choice.