There is a memorial contribution to the St. Benedict’s catholic school endowment fund made in Bill’s name in his memory. Hopefully you will get an acknowledgement soon.  Frances

A poem to my Grandpa.

I like things simple

So I chopped the trees

To make a house

And I cut windows to see

I like things simple

So I worked to the bone

And sought for a woman

To be my own

I like things simple

So I did what I could

I raised my son and many others

Hoping they'd be stronger than I was

I like things simple

So I fought on the sea

I did what was asked

When I was done I took my leave

I like things simple

So I gave what I had

No matter what I lost

I always had my two hands

I kept things simple

Even when time slowed down

As the seasons faded and changed

My windows were fogged and cracked

I kept things simple

Even as the world was loud

The screams and echos distorted

Until the sounds glittered about

I was simple

When the ground broke beneath me

My emotions were hard but

Nothings too much in my family

So I stayed simple

As I smiled and told stories

I liked being simple

And let me tell everybody

As my mind melted to the world

And I saw things I'd never heard

My shoes stayed planted on my feet

Because even when blind I could still see

The sound of the honey bees

Buzzing near by

The feeling of community

In a place I've spied

The oceans depth cannot compare

To what's hiding above

As I heard my brothers lost laughter

And saw dancing colors in love

I left in a dream

Taking my same tracks

I showed people a new world to see

As I followed my simple path.

So sorry for your family’s loss. Bill was a wonderful man and we’ll cherish the memories we have Rose and Bill and family coming to the farm to visit.

Warren and Shari Bauman

I will miss our long phone conversations and calling him on his birthday.  

I remember one summer Bill and Rose came to Michigan to help Uncle Marty put our house back together.