William Dekker

William Earle "Bill" Dekker, 67, of Albion, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2014 in Jackson, MI. He was born June 11, 1946 to Henry J. and Betty Jean (Earle) Dekker. Bill was married to Kathie Mariette Haas on December 16, 1967. Bill graduated from Parchment High School in 1964 and Western Michigan University in 1968. He played baseball, basketball and tennis in High School excelling in all three. In 1964 was a Kalamazoo Valley Association Singles Tennis Champion. Tennis remained his passion throughout his life. He continued to play until August of 2013. He served in the Air Force in active duty from 1969 to 1973 where he achieved the rank of Sergent as Personnel Specialist. Bill worked for 28 years between Eaton in Kalamazoo and Illinois, Aeroquip in Jackson and Ohio, working his way from janitor to Plant Manager. He spent his final seven years in semi- retirement running a machine at Great Lakes Triad Packaging Corporation in Grand Rapids, MI. Bill was a great dad and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife, Kathie Dekker of Albion; daughter, Margaret (Peggy) (Steve) Brewer of Portage, MI; son, Richard (Angel) Dekker of Jerome, MI; sister, Karen (Rob) Heasley of Parchment, MI; four grandchildren, Rachael and Allyson Brewer, Ella and Eve Dekker; paternal aunt, Johanna Magierka; his faithful companion Drizit. He was preceded in death by his parents; baby sister; grandparents, Lucy and Reinard Dekker and Frank and Della Earle; several aunts, uncles and cousins. A Funeral Mass will be held at St John Catholic Church, 1020 Irwin Avenue, Albion, MI on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM with Father Joe Gray officiating. Interment will follow in Albion Memory Gardens, Albion, MI. Visitation for family and friends will be held at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 from 5-8 PM. Rosary will be at 7:00 PM. A special thank you goes out to the people who kept Bill playing tennis almost to the end. Especially Larry Lewis, Rich Cottrell, Kathy Lincoln, Dave York, Rod Stopyak, and Jerry Hatton who twice a week for the past several years kept him on his feet and excited about life. Also a big thank you to the very special people at Highland Alzheimer's Care Residence, especially to Cami Oliver, RN. Thank you to the Hospice Advantage of Lansing and Father Joseph Gray of St John Albion. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice Advantage House, 801 S Waverley Suite 304, Lansing , MI 48917-4200 or St John Catholic Church, 1070 Irwin Avenue, Albion, MI 49224 www.jktiddfuneralhome.com.