William “Bill” Earnest Whittaker, 74, of Three Oaks, passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Woodland Shores Baptist Church, 3555 Shawnee Road, Bridgman with Reverend Matthew Puett officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Friday from 5-7 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions may be given to the River Valley Senior Center, PO Box 275, Harbert, MI 49115.
Bill was born on February 11, 1942 in Niles, the son of the late Ralph E. and Myrtle Laverne (nee Callahan) Whittaker. Bill spent his life helping others, always ready with a helping hand, tools, or words of wisdom. The first to arrive and the last to leave, he wasn’t one to leave a project unfinished. After his retirement, Bill was a volunteer for the River Valley Senior Center where he drove the medical transport van. Son, uncle, husband, father, mentor are all titles he has held, but none gave him more joy than Papa. Whether playing in the yard, attending their games and concerts, or just sitting and talking with them, his grandkids were his pride and joy.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Charlene (nee Anderson); daughters: Tammy VanderWeide, Susan Sherman; sons-in-law: Dan VanderWeide, Ed Sherman; grandsons: Caleb and Kyle VanderWeide; granddaughter: Cali Sherman; sister-in-law: Patty (Bud) Kerckhove; brothers-in-law: Mike Anderson and Larry (Catherine) Anderson.
William was also preceded in death by a brother – Lewis Whittaker.