William S. Hart

To William S. Hart, there was no such thing as a stranger. With a handshake and a smile, he could make anyone feel comfortable and treated everyone in the same friendly way, no matter who they were. His spontaneity and sense of humor kept everyone on their toes, especially his family, since they never knew when he might surprise them with a vacation or a road trip. However, he was also very responsible and hard-working, making sure that his family was taken care of and that they knew how much he loved them.

The stock market crash of 1929 was the official beginning of the Great Depression, sending the world economy reeling and leaving many people unemployed. Howard and Sarah (Oswalt) Hart of Sturgis, Michigan, worked hard to make ends meet during those lean years. Howard was a truck driver and Sarah had her hands full at home raising their ten children. In 1933, the United States turned to her new president for hope as Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated, and Howard and Sarah were especially hopeful for the sake of their newest child, little William, born on July 12th of that year.

Bill grew up in Sturgis and when he was a teenager the family moved to Wisconsin. Like many of his peers, Bill left school and joined the work force to help support the family. When he was seventeen, he decided that the Air Force was a good option and his parents agreed, signing the necessary forms that allowed a minor to join the military.

Bill was stationed at various locations during his service, and his last base was in Massachusetts. It was there on a bright July day that Bill’s life took an amazing turn. While participating in a Fourth of July parade, his eyes were scanning the crowd when he spotted a lovely young woman. Immediately smitten, he introduced himself and learned that her name was Virginia Burke. He invited her to watch fireworks with him that night and the sparks between them rivaled the explosive shimmering show in the sky.

Virginia knew right away that Bill was the man for her, and her family agreed. When he proposed a month later, she never hesitated for a moment. They exchanged vows at the Justice of the Peace in Vicksburg, Michigan, on December 5. The newlyweds set up their first home in a small apartment above Bud’s Bar in Schoolcraft, Michigan. They later moved to Barton Lake just outside of town and eventually found a small house on Hampton Road in Three Rivers.

Bill and Virginia were thrilled to learn that their family would soon increase in number and when Kathleen was born in 1955, Bill was immediately wrapped around her tiny finger. Her little brother Benjamin arrived in 1963, and baby sister Barbara in 1971. Bill adored his children and wanted them to be happy and healthy. He taught them precious life lessons, including a strong work ethic. Chores came before play, but when it was time to play, they played hard. The house on Barton Lake had go-karts and mini bikes and Bill always made sure the cooler was stocked with popsicles and ice cream (especially his favorite, strawberry). He also taught them to face their fears, to “jump out in the rain and just do it.” Nothing worth having was easy to get, so they were going to have to work hard and tackle challenges that came their way.

He also made sure that his children learned to respect their mother. He taught them directly, but also by example. He put Virginia’s interests before his own, sometimes surprising her with flowers or candy and always letting her know how much she meant to him. No matter where he was, he was happy as long as Virginia was at his side.

Bill provided for the family as a welder at Roto-Finish in Kalamazoo. He loved his work and his union, rarely missing a day and always giving one hundred percent. In 1989, the family endured quite a scare when Bill suffered a heart attack, forcing him to retire early. He also struggled with diabetes, a disease that led to other health problems that Bill had to deal with over the years.

Bill had developed a love and talent for music from his parents. He was able to play the accordion, guitar, and mandolin and was particularly fond of playing old country songs. One of his favorite things to do was to awaken the kids on Sunday mornings with a tune on his mandolin. When the family grew to include grandchildren, much of his free time was spent with them, but Bill did enjoy watching a little TV, mostly the History Channel or the Military Channel. He also liked reading magazines like Popular Mechanics, and he was always up for a drive down to Das Dutchman Essenhaus Restaurant in Middlebury, Indiana, for their meatloaf dinner.

Bill loved kids and nothing warmed his heart quite like seeing their little faces light up when he handed them some loose change or dropped some coins at the park in order to watch happy discoverers pocket their newly found treasures. His favorite kids were his own precious grandchildren, and he cherished every smile, giggle, and hug. He maintained the go-karts, mini bikes, and a four-wheeler just for them.

Bill died at Heartland Health Care in Three Rivers on Monday, March 10, 2008. Although Bill has left his family, he has not left them empty-handed. He poured out his wisdom, love for others, and love for life while he was with them, things they will carry and in turn will pass on to those who follow.

Members of Bill’s family include his wife, Virginia; three children: Kathleen and her husband Glenn Schultz, Benjamin J. Hart, and Barbara and her husband Mike Sutton; five grandchildren: Jennel and her husband Terry Alexander, Jackie and her husband Chad Overweg, Glenn Thomas, and Holly and Haley; and two great grandchildren: Chase and Drew. Other members of his family include his sisters Ardetta and Audrey, and a brother Dave. He follows in death his siblings: James, George, Ardith, Ann, and Roger and Arlene who both died as infants.

Learn more about Bill, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on Thursday, March 13, from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home - Vicksburg, 409 S Main. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 14, at the same location. Please visit Bill’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, sign his online guest register, or learn how to make a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association or VNA Hospice.