Name: Cook Funeral Home & Cremation Services — Grandville Chapel
Address: Grandville, MI

On behalf of Oak Crest we want to convey our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your Father. We want to thank you for the privilege of caring for him at Oak Crest Manors Cottonwood & Cherrywood. May God bless and comfort you as you grieve.

 Posted by Julie Ann Mesman, Oak Crest February 18, 2014

Uncle Bill was a great man and a wonderful Uncle. I have so many fond memories of visiting him and Aunt Muriel in Wyoming and Grandville when I was young. I am sad and sorry that I didn't make it down to visit him last summer and take him a cherry pie as I would have liked. He lived a long and wonderful life. I wish everyone could have an Uncle like my Uncle Bill! I will miss him.

 Posted by Jan Hilewsky - Interlochen, MI - niece February 19, 2014

It is with sadness that I learn of the passing of my former principal and neighbor, Bill DeWitt. I treasure many fond memories of days long ago and am thankful I was able to visit Bill at Oak Crest during a recent trip to Grand Rapids. My prayer is that God will give comfort to the family and sustain them in their time of loss.

 Posted by Kenneth Hofstra - Green Valley, AZ - Former student and neighbor February 20, 2014

Dear Kathy, I was so sorry to read about the passing of your dad. Mr. DeWitt was a kind and supportive principal and a very special friend to my family. I don't know if you were aware that your parents were my parent's sponsors in my adoption. This was certainly an act that made a profound and lasting effect on all of our lives.
 I remember how welcome your dad and mom made me feel when I would trek over to your house with my trombone for you to practice with me in preparation for District and State Solo and Ensembles. This is yet another deed of many for which I am in your family's debt. On the other hand, who doesn't love trombone music?
 I often think fondly about your parents, Tom, and you. Please take some solace in how you all made a difference in my and other people's lives in Grandville 

 Posted by Scott Southard - Rockford, MI - Friend and Student February 21, 2014

Oh, Mr. DeWitt. How I admired him, and I could tell that he cared for me as a student as well. We went to the same church and I was honored to know his family. Tommy was in my Sunday School class and I'm saddened to hear that he has passed away also. Mr. DeWitt taught Latin back in my day, and I remember him banging his pointer on a syllable to emphasize, and breaking the pointer. Barbara Peck Moyes, class of 1959. 

 Posted by Barbara Moyes - Grand Ledge, MI - student February 22, 2014

Roger A. Hofstra, Palm Springs, Grandville Class of '66. It was Principal Bill DeWitt who gave me one of my first jobs, and who assured me that I would eventually help to make a world that was less hostile to gay men like me. He had tremendous insight. You could trust him. He dared to meet his students on a personal level, as adults. I am happy to know that there must be thousands of men and women who's lives were shaped and nurtured because of his courage and candor. I cherish the quality of education we had at Grandville High. Like Mr. DeWitt, it was above and beyond all standards of excellence. 

 Posted by Roger A.Hofstra-Christ - Palm Springs, CA - Student and Neighbor, Grandville February 22, 2014

Thank you Mr. DeWitt. You were a memorable teacher. Sympathy to the family. Class of 1975.

 Posted by Sue Stratton - Grand Rapids, MI - Student February 23, 2014

Dear Kathy and Family, I was sorry to hear about your dad's passing. As you know he was a good and gifted man whose caring, leadership and influence shaped the lives of thousands of students he interacted with over the years. His style of gentle persuasion helped build character, focus life commitment and stimulate intellectual achievement in a way that speaks volumes of his impact on society at home and abroad. For those of us who passed through Grandville High School during his tenure, your dad contributed greatly in making life a better place and our role in it more successful. He was a man of vision and a kind shepherd gently encouraging and inspiring his students and their teachers as he moved ahead with his responsibility as an educator. He wanted the best for all he met and did his part toward that end. As a neighbor your dad was always kind and helpful to others. He was well liked and respected by all those who knew him. Over time his friendly hello may have weakened but it never wavered. He will be truly missed but always remembered. As you mourn your dad's passing and celebrate his life, I wish you and your family all the best going forward and may God Bless you now and in the coming years. 

 Posted by Roger J. Haynes, Esq. - Grandville, MI - Friend February 24, 2014

Dear Kathy and Family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I really enjoyed visiting with him and he so enjoyed visiting with the dogs, Wrigley & Blossom.. 
 Your former neighbor, Bonnie Roersma-Wilson

 Posted by Bonnie Roersma-Wilson - Wyoming, MI February 24, 2014

Dear Kathy and family, Your Mom and Dad were positive influences to students, friends, church and community. They became my friends during high school life (Class of 1955). Your Mom's loving kindness and your Dad's sharp wit and fantastic memory ( he never forget a person or event....only added daily to his repertoire) are endearing forever to me. I shall miss our delightful visits and your Dad's wonderful smile and stories. May God encircle you and your family in his loving arms and give you peace and joy for lives well lived.
 Jeanne Ciereman Sherman Class of 1955.

 Posted by Jeanne Sherman - Grand Haven, MI - friend February 25, 2014

The Godfrey-Lee Public Schools community sadly notes that a part of the Galewood area's history has passed on. William was the son of the late Bill and Tina DeWitt who operated the old butcher and grocery store next to Godfrey Elementary, where William grew up before heading to college. We send our sympathies to his family and friends.
 

 Posted by David Britten - Wyoming, MI - Friend February 25, 2014

I was saddened to hear about your father. Mr. Dewitt,taught at Grandville while my Aunts and Uncles as well as my mom were there but,I met him several years later in Latin class. The year he was to have retired 1975,the incoming freshman class had been offered Latin(maybe by mistake?) and there were many of us who signed up to take it...around 22 of us if I remember right. So he stayed on and during first hour taught another year of latin 1 and latin 2.One day he worked with us the next day the latin 2 students. I loved the class because I liked him and how he taught.When finals came around I received my test and was a bit puzzled by some of the questions but,answered as best I could. One day over the summer a friend and stopped at his home to say hello and he had finished grading our papers and gave them to us.I was so happy to have gotten a B . I then asked him a question about the test and he took it and looked at it a bit puzzled and told me I had taken the latin 2 final. : ) He felt badly but,I thought it pretty cool that I had taken the wrong test yet done so well on it...it paid to listen to the older class. He stayed on again for one more year to teach us latin 2 and a new group a year of latin also. I appreciate him doing that. I have good memories of our class and often wished I had a copy of our latin book to use with my own children. I have heard wonderful stories about him from others as well. He was a special man.May God comfort your family during this time and bless you all. 

 Posted by Connie Breimayer (Winters) class of '79 - student February 26, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing, Kathy. I just read the guestbook comments - what wonderful tributes to the positive effects he had on the lives of others! My thoughts are with you and your family.

 Posted by Lori Baker - Grand Rapids, MI - friend February 27, 2014

Thinking of you, Kathy.....

 Posted by Leanne Toshalis Numbers February 28, 2014

Mr DeWitt was such a role model. He was truly interested in me as an individual and gave me a great deal of guidance in my teen years. I thought about him as another 'father'. He made us feel important because of who we were. I was lucky to see him in 2012 and thanked him for being there for me in those years. We kept in touch at Christmas through the years. You will be truly missed dear Mr. DeWitt. 

 Posted by Nancy Shoniker Elia - Denver,CO, CO - Student March 02, 2014

Dear Kathy and Matthew, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad/Father- in- law. I have complete faith that it is but a temporal loss and as God enables us to run our race with victory we will see him at the finish cheering us on. What can we say about your Dad. One of a kind! My parents were blessed to be considered as close friends. We kids were blessed that they shared activities together, such as going to plays & playing bridge. I will always remember when your folks would pick us up from Camp Henry. That was a memorable drive coming home with stops for ice-cream. I remember being invited to waterski with you all.
 I enjoyed visiting your Dad when I came back from Costa Rica, both at Ponca Ct. & Oak Crest. Grandville has lost one of it's best citizens ever! May the Lord comfort you and meet all of your needs in Christ Jesus. Mary Kay, Bill and I send you our deepest condolences from Costa Rica. We brought Mom here on February 18th. Bill travels back to the USA on Wednesday. We are sorry to have missed the funeral service, and would have been there if we had not been in Costa Rica. We will see how the care giving for my Mom goes from here. So far so good as we accommodate her to a new life here. Take care dear ones, Viki, Bill and Mary Kay.

 Posted by Viki Wilson - Costa Rica, MI - Friend March 03, 2014

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

William J. DeWitt

11 septembre 1915 – 15 février 2014

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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