Reading Bill's obituary, I was sad to learn he had been suffering for so many years. I still remember vividly our fistfight on the playground of Seymour Christian School, classmates gathered around. With one mighty punch he knocked me to the ground, leaving me with a black eye. Instead of gloating, he offered me a hand of kindness, and we became good friends for many years after, until our paths diverged and we lost contact. My sincere condolences to all his friends and family.
I would like to offer my sympathy to Bill's family. Bill and I were buddies all the way through Seymour Christian School and we had lots of fun. He was always up for new ventures and adventures and his sense of humor was never ending. His family had one of the first TV's and we often we would watch Captian Midnight , Sky King and the Big Top show on saturday mornings. In college his family home on Jefferson was a place of more than one party. At their cottage we would enjoy the Lake and especially the ice cream from the Kitchen Cupboard on Lake Shore Drive. Twice a year I would visit Bill at the Grand Rapids Veterans facility. He was well taken care of by the staff and he spent many hours each day watching sports. We would get a coffee from the cafeteria and he always knew when dinner was about to arrive. While with him I talked to him about the good times we had and always checked with staff to make sure his basic needs were met. Bill's memory had left him but for most folks who entered his small room he would ask, "how are you doing?" I salute his friends Ned and Barb Meurer who faithfully visited with Bill weekly and were his conduit to the world. Jim
Hello, Everyone - This is Bill's daughter, Carrie. I wish to thank you all for your support during this difficult time of loss. And for those of you who knew my dad directly (as kids and/or as adults) and were recipients of his kindness, warmth, and friendship, I am sorry for your loss as well. Please know there is also peace amidst sorrow: Dad was ready, and my brother and I were able to have time with him virtually before he died due to the kindness of the wonderful staff at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. It is truly a treasure reading your memories and stories and shared shenanigans! Please continue sharing, and also feel free to leave messages on the Zaagman website and MLive under Dad's obituary. I will collect everything and make a book of memories for everyone in our family. Dad had an enormous and genuine heart, and he taught me how to live out loud in this world with compassion for and warmth always toward others. The day before he died, I told him I would carry goodness on as he taught me. I wish you all this goodness and good health during these hard times. Thank you again for your support and sharing: it means the world to me. Warmly, Carrie Tamminga & the rest of Bill's family
I, too, was a long time member of your father's class, from Seymour onward. The Class of 1958 was a pretty tight group up to and through high school (Grand Rapids Christian on Franklin St). Many of us lived in and around the Alger Heights neighborhood. My connection, though, was primarily through our families. My mom and dad were very big friends of Frieda and Sam. Thus, our families did alot of things together. I, too, remember the Jefferson St house and the Lake Michigan home.
I'm sorry to hear of Bill's illness over his later years. Also, I didn't realize that he was a Veteran!
Blessings to you and your immediate family in this time of your loss.
I knew your Dad from High School, but also through Parkway Garden Apts with Stu Cok and Don Markham in the 1980's. I also talked to him bi-weekly when he lived in Mobile, Alabama. When I talked with you was when you were moving him to the Vet's Home in Grand Rapids. At that time you were living around Indian-apolis, Indiana. I stopped by to visit Bill at the Vet's home and met Ned Meur, and also toook him a couple of times to our annual "Guys of 61" lunch get-to- gethers. The last time I saw you Carrie , was when you and a friend took your Dad to our get-to-gather. I still remember the 1st time I pick up your Dad from the Vet's home and on the way to the lunch, took him by the Jefferson St. house across from Garfield Park and He didn't recognize the house, that's when I recognized the progression of his disease. I had some good and fun memories of your Dad and wish you and your family the best during this time of sorrow.
All the best during this time... Bruce Scherpenisse
John DeHoog (Now Wataru Tenga)
Reading Bill's obituary, I was sad to learn he had been suffering for so many years. I still remember vividly our fistfight on the playground of Seymour Christian School, classmates gathered around. With one mighty punch he knocked me to the ground, leaving me with a black eye. Instead of gloating, he offered me a hand of kindness, and we became good friends for many years after, until our paths diverged and we lost contact. My sincere condolences to all his friends and family.
James Haveman
I would like to offer my sympathy to Bill's family. Bill and I were buddies all the way through Seymour Christian School and we had lots of fun. He was always up for new ventures and adventures and his sense of humor was never ending. His family had one of the first TV's and we often we would watch Captian Midnight , Sky King and the Big Top show on saturday mornings. In college his family home on Jefferson was a place of more than one party. At their cottage we would enjoy the Lake and especially the ice cream from the Kitchen Cupboard on Lake Shore Drive. Twice a year I would visit Bill at the Grand Rapids Veterans facility. He was well taken care of by the staff and he spent many hours each day watching sports. We would get a coffee from the cafeteria and he always knew when dinner was about to arrive. While with him I talked to him about the good times we had and always checked with staff to make sure his basic needs were met. Bill's memory had left him but for most folks who entered his small room he would ask, "how are you doing?" I salute his friends Ned and Barb Meurer who faithfully visited with Bill weekly and were his conduit to the world. Jim
Sidney (Bill) Tamminga
Hello, Everyone - This is Bill's daughter, Carrie. I wish to thank you all for your support during this difficult time of loss. And for those of you who knew my dad directly (as kids and/or as adults) and were recipients of his kindness, warmth, and friendship, I am sorry for your loss as well. Please know there is also peace amidst sorrow: Dad was ready, and my brother and I were able to have time with him virtually before he died due to the kindness of the wonderful staff at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. It is truly a treasure reading your memories and stories and shared shenanigans! Please continue sharing, and also feel free to leave messages on the Zaagman website and MLive under Dad's obituary. I will collect everything and make a book of memories for everyone in our family. Dad had an enormous and genuine heart, and he taught me how to live out loud in this world with compassion for and warmth always toward others. The day before he died, I told him I would carry goodness on as he taught me. I wish you all this goodness and good health during these hard times. Thank you again for your support and sharing: it means the world to me. Warmly, Carrie Tamminga & the rest of Bill's family
Gary Diephouse
Hello to you, Carrie---
I, too, was a long time member of your father's class, from Seymour onward. The Class of 1958 was a pretty tight group up to and through high school (Grand Rapids Christian on Franklin St). Many of us lived in and around the Alger Heights neighborhood. My connection, though, was primarily through our families. My mom and dad were very big friends of Frieda and Sam. Thus, our families did alot of things together. I, too, remember the Jefferson St house and the Lake Michigan home.
I'm sorry to hear of Bill's illness over his later years. Also, I didn't realize that he was a Veteran!
Blessings to you and your immediate family in this time of your loss.
Gary Diephouse
Bruce Scherpenisse
Dear Carrie & Family,
I knew your Dad from High School, but also through Parkway Garden Apts with Stu Cok and Don Markham in the 1980's. I also talked to him bi-weekly when he lived in Mobile, Alabama. When I talked with you was when you were moving him to the Vet's Home in Grand Rapids. At that time you were living around Indian-apolis, Indiana. I stopped by to visit Bill at the Vet's home and met Ned Meur, and also toook him a couple of times to our annual "Guys of 61" lunch get-to- gethers. The last time I saw you Carrie , was when you and a friend took your Dad to our get-to-gather. I still remember the 1st time I pick up your Dad from the Vet's home and on the way to the lunch, took him by the Jefferson St. house across from Garfield Park and He didn't recognize the house, that's when I recognized the progression of his disease. I had some good and fun memories of your Dad and wish you and your family the best during this time of sorrow.
All the best during this time... Bruce Scherpenisse