William Balmer

William (Bill) Earle Balmer passed away peacefully on December 12, 2022, at age 97. Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Janet Wood and survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Jean Balmer; his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Marshall Jacobson; his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Cathy Balmer. His grandchildren are Brian Jacobson, Michael Jacobson, Melissa Balmer-Zadvornykh, Kelly Balmer-Edwards, Skylar Wood, and Katie Wood-Skitt. His great-grandchildren are Caroline Jacobson, Leif Jacobson, Will Jacobson, Austin Edwards, Brie Edwards, Jaxon Edwards, and Nina Wood. He was also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Gordy King.

Bill was born in Port Huron, Michigan June 15, 1925. He graduated from Michigan Technology University with a degree in Forestry. Bill served with the US Forest Service for over 30 years and added another 25 years as a private consultant. He worked in the forest till his mid-80s. His forestry work was all in the South.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II and retired as a reserve officer.

Bill was not a native Yooper but one who embraced the culture of Michigan's upper peninsula, having graduated from Michigan Tech and found his life's love there. However, his love did not extend to the traditional pasty by rejecting turnips as a terrible addition. The family just never told him and put the turnips in any way.

Bill could best be described as a Renaissance Man. His interests were travel, languages, history, art, and reading.

Travel was always of interest to Bill. Discharged at the end of World War II, he chose to hitchhike from California back to Michigan. Part to see the country and part to honor his Scottish heritage of saving money. On becoming a family man, Bill would pack up the family to either go north to visit family in Michigan or west to visit his sister and brother-in-law in California. Camping across the country was some of the most cherished memories the family has of him. Not to mention the wonder of his fortitude for riding 8 hours daily with three children questioning, "are we there yet?"

Of languages, Bill studied Spanish and French with varying degrees of success. While on a winter trip to Grenoble, France, at age 74, Bill decided to try skiing the French Alps after a 30-year break from the sport. Up the ski slope, he went. At each station, he conversed with the attendant, querying if this was the green slope (beginner) in French. The attendant would shake his head and point up to the next station. Finally, he ran out of stations and found himself on the Black slope (expert) run at the top of the mountain! He managed to get down the mountain without breaking anything to his credit.

Combining history with travel, Bill and Barbara visited almost every Presidential Library in the country.

Bill and Barbara were members of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven, Georgia, for over 60 years. His memorial service will be held there on February 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm. In place of flowers, donations may be sent to Suthers Center for Christian Outreach, PO BOX 80568 Chamblee, GA 30366.