Tributes

William (Bill) Richard Phelps, 91, of Kalkaska, surrounded by his family was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Bill was born on Sept. 26, 1927 in Leetsville, to the late Eugene and Edythe Phelps. Bill grew up in Leetsville/Kalkaska, attending Kalkaska High Schools and graduating in 1940. Bill joined the United States Navy in WW II, enlisting at age 17. After getting released from service when WW II ended, he worked as an orderly in Kalamazoo where he met his wife-to-be Joanne Kathleen Tasma. Bill and Joanne married and moved back to Kalkaska to be near family. He worked at Arthur Colton Company, Elk Rapids, as a Tool & Die Maker. Bill loved his yard sales, Goodwill, antiques, and bargain shopping. He was an avid hunter, small game and deer, he loved the outdoors. He collected paper weights and enjoyed coin collecting. Bill had a green thumb, gardening and roses, and still doing his own yard work and snow blowing even at age 91. Bill’s passion was witnessing for the Lord, sharing how God had blessed his life. John 3:16 Over 67 years Bill and Joanne shared 7 children, 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife, Joanne, his children Kathy (Scott) Swanson, Barbara (Bruce) Southwell, Robert Dykema(son-in-law), Mark (Leslie) Phelps, Beth Phelps, Paul (Helen) Phelps, and Rebekah (Chris) Susinko; along with 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Janis Dykema. Bill was an avid reader, studying the King James Bible. Oliver B. Green, M.R. De Haan, Charles E. Fuller and Dwight L. Moody were four biblical scholars/theologians that Bill respected greatly; gathering their commentaries/study books to help him learn and to gain the understanding of God’s principles so that he could share with others. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26th at Evergreen Bible Baptist Church, 1972 Saunders Rd SE, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Tributes

William "Bill" Richard Phelps

September 26, 1927 - September 21, 2019