Willard Tedd Oyler

Tedd is survived by his wife, Joy McShane Oyler; his brothers in law Mike McShane (Kurt Reich) and Bud Kopp; his sisters in law Mimi (Jim) Beimer, and Kathleen McShane (John Osgood); his cousin, Steve Shouldice; nieces and nephews Ryan Kopp, Allison Kopp, Emily Kopp, Nick (Jane) Beimer, Katelyn (Grant) Segur, Joe Curcie, Jackie Curcie, and Alex Curcie; grand nieces and nephews Paige Beimer, Mara Beimer, Hazel Segur, Max Segur, and the as yet unborn baby boy Curcie; his family members of choice Chris Urbaniak, Jill Cochran and Roger Millikin, Jim Ketcham and Jan Curtis, Kelly Urbaniak, Linda Knieriemen, Larry Lynn, Pat Carmody, and Jim and Cinda Stark. He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Joyce Oyler; his sister, Nancy Kopp; his parents in law, Beth and Dave McShane; his cousin Dottie Shouldice, his aunt and uncle Joanne and Larry Shouldice; and his brother from a different mother Tom Urbaniak.

Tedd was born in Battle Creek and lived in various places during his childhood as his father moved around in the manner of school administrators. He graduated from Saugatuck High School, Kalamazoo College, and received his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University.

Tedd and Joy married in 1981. They lived in a variety of towns in Michigan as they accepted various job opportunities. Tedd worked as an attorney and as a financial planner.

He served on many local charity boards, at his church, and at the local Presbytery. He fully enjoyed giving back to the community. He was volunteering at the Community Action House food club up until a few months before he died.

Tedd loved travel, the Tigers, reading, writing poetry, and relationships with friends and family. His favorite trip of all time was a trip to the Greek isles with Joy and dear friends, Chris and Tom Urbaniak. He voraciously read all manner of books until the disease took that ability from him. He traveled to Tiger games with many friends over the years and attended game 4 of the 1984 world series to watch his beloved Tigers. He wrote poetry often and joined poetry classes. He had deep lasting friendships with many dear friends.

His brilliant mind allowed him to possess a lightning-fast, deeply wicked yet hilarious sense of humor matched with a warm, compassionate heart. He once wrote a wedding toast on napkins at the reception moments before it was his time to talk. The toast rhymed, was touching, and wildly funny.

His snark notwithstanding, he was quite free from judgment toward others. Folks could tell they were safe while revealing deeply personal and ouchy secrets. He helped them solve problems they were too embarrassed to share with anyone else.

He kept his wife honest and cheered her on as she strove to meet her life goals. She would not be the person she is today without his influence.

There will be a visitation at 10:30 am on October 10th at First Presbyterian Church in Holland Michigan. It will be followed at 11:30 am by the memorial service and a luncheon.