Aubrey "Bill" Dean Desgranges

Bill was born into the family of John Wesley and Ruth (Rowlader) Desgranges on September 28, 1932 in Lake Odessa. The family spent time growing up in both Lake Odessa and Eaton Rapids, where Bill finished the 10th grade, then worked on the family farm until his induction into the US Army in 1953. After being honorably discharged in 1954, Bill returned home to meet the love of his life, Barbara Ann Sensiba. They were married in April of 1956 and began their 60-year life together. After several years with various jobs including a beloved stint at Lake Odessa Canning Company and Farm Bureau in Lansing, Bill and Barb started the ADDBAD corporation which included organizations such as Lake Odessa Oil Company, Bill’s CITGO gas station, and Morrison Lake Country Club. Bill was a saavy businessman who was an active participator in the Lake Odessa/Lakewood community. He was a volunteer fireman in Lake Odessa, served on the Lake Odessa Fair Board, and was a council member of the Village of Lake Odessa. Bill enjoyed playing cards, golfing, bowling, fishing, and various other activities with his family members and friends.

During retirement, Bill and Barb spent 19 years wintering in LaBelle with several of their family members and friends from Lake Odessa. Golf, fishing, and cards were many of the activities enjoyed in their Aqua Isles community in Florida, but his love of his family was his greatest treasure.

Bill was preceeded in death by his parents, his loving and caring wife, his siblings Laura (Forest) Haney, Willard (Liz), Paul (Frieda)(Orpha), Lavon (Dorothy), Roger Allen, Clarence (Nancy), Opal (John) Booher, Arloa (Pete) Lee, Elwood, and Glenn (Dee), his in-laws Samuel and Mildred Sensiba, brothers-in-law Ronald, Donnie and Johnnie Sensiba.

Bill and his “Miss America” were very proud of their family and legacy here on earth. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his children Darris and Kim Desgranges of Grand Rapids, Denise and Dave Newman of Clarksville, Daniel and Beth Desgranges of Hudsonville, and Derek and Stacie Desgranges of Sunfield. Bill adored his grandchildren and will miss playing cards and eating ice cream with Darrin (Emily) Desgranges, Dylan Desgranges, Matthew (Jodi) Hostetler, Scott (Jordan) Hostetler, Daniel Deuce (Sherry) Desgranges, Samuel Desgranges, Jackson Desgranges, Aubree Desgranges, Lyndan Desgranges, Brady (Megan) McNees, and Logan McNees. Bill was also the proud “Great Papa” of Allison, Anna, Brynn, Bailey, Benton, Owen, Olivia, Norah, Scarlett, and the soon to be Aubrey #3. Bill was very fond of his yellow lab Charlie who was a companion during the years at Morrison Lake Golf Course.

Bill is also survived by loving family members Alona Allen, Betty Desgranges, Jude Desgranges, Susan (Gail) Foxworthy, Sandy (Larry) Simon, and many nieces and nephews, including the beloved and favorite niece whose name begins with “B”.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 18th from 6 pm until 8 pm and from 1 pm until 2 pm on Friday, March 19th. Funeral will be held at 2 pm on Friday, March 19th. All visitations and service will be held at Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville with Pastor Lester DeGroot presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make contributions in Bill’s name to Nashville Baptist Church, VFW Post #4461, or the Lake Odessa Fire Department.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the employees of Green Acres of Ionia, Hospice of Lansing and Ionia, and Mary Free Bed for the compassionate care they gave to our Dad.