C. William Wikman

Carl William Wikman was a wonderful husband, loving father and grandfather, and a cherished member of his church and community. He was gifted, committed and enthusiastic, using his time and talents for the good of others. Whether he was enjoying his family, playing music or cheering at a football game, his vigor for life was evident to all and a testament to the generous God he served. Carl William was born in Muskegon, Michigan on February 1, 1925 during the decade of the Roaring Twenties. Though his given name was Carl, he always went by his middle name, which was shortened to Bill. His father worked for Shaw Walker as a chief product engineer, while his mother cared for young Bill at home and looked forward to the birth of another child. Tragically, she died during childbirth when Bill was two years old, and he and his father moved in with his Grandma Wikman. It was a sad time for the family, but relatives from the Nelson side continued to stay close to Bill throughout his childhood. Living in the Jackson Hill neighborhood of Muskegon, the Wikmans were members of one of the Swedish churches in the city. Not only was Bill very proud of his Swedish/Finnish heritage, he learned to speak in Swedish and was nurtured in his Christian faith through the Evangelical Covenant Church. When he was 12 years old, Bills father remarried the former Dorothy Lundgren, who was a wonderful, loving mother to Bill. The family was blessed with two more boys, David and Thomas. They settled into a house in the Glenside neighborhood and made it a home filled with the familys talent for music. Taking up the clarinet as a child, Bill played in the marching band throughout his high school and college years, and his love for playing continued for the rest of his life. After graduating from Muskegon High School, Bill went on to Michigan State University and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. While at MSU, he joined the US Navy V-12 program, received military training at different universities around the country and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserves during WWII. His training and leadership skills served him well when he later took a job with MichCon in Muskegon and worked as the Supervisor of the Co-Generation Market for his entire career of 38 years. (He retired in 1988.) Already secure in his employment in the early 1950s, Bill turned his attention to the lovely Marilyn Johnson. She and her family were also members of Evangelical Covenant Church, so their convictions were strong and their faith grounded when the two of them began dating. Their love grew into marriage, and Bill and Marilyn made their vows on one of the most romantic days of the year: Valentines Day 1953. Over the years, Bill and Marilyn celebrated the births of each of their four childrenJudy in 1954, Jim in 1955, Jill in 1961 and Jennifer in 1964. The family eventually settled in the Beachwood neighborhood, right off the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It was the perfect spot for them because Bill loved to take the children swimming, hiking and playing on the beach. However, summers found them packing their suitcases and leaving their beachside retreat to spend vacations at Family Church Camp. As was evident to all, the church community was a very important aspect of Bills life. He continued to offer his gifts in music and leadershipplaying his clarinet in worship, singing in the choir and holding nearly every volunteer position in the church. When the congregation moved to Norton Shores and changed its name to Forest Park Covenant, Bills quiet but wise leadership helped the church grow. Bill liked to stay active physically and communally. He went to the YMCA, bowled and played golf on the church league. He played his clarinet in the Muskegon community band, West Michigan Concert Winds, Muskegon High School and Michigan State Alumni bands. He was a long time member of the American Institute of Plant Engineers, a past President of the Midwest Industrial Gas Council, Kiwanis Club of Muskegon and Greater Muskegon Community Band. Bill was a community volunteer for the United Way, American Red Cross and advisor for Junior Achievement. His many efforts and contributions to his community will not be forgotten. Bill was also a big sports fan. From the time he was ten years old, he attended Big Red football games at Hackley Stadium in Muskegon. He had season tickets to Hackley and MSUs stadium in Lansing, Michigan, where his beloved Spartans played. A true fan, Bill held the same seats to every home football game for 50 years, until he passed them down to his son Jim. Bill and Marilyn loved to travel, and especially in retirement, they visited their children and babysat their grandkids. They took numerous trips and cruises all over the world, usually with organized groups. Bill liked to say he crossed the pond nine times, traveling across the Atlantic to visit relatives in Sweden and Finland. Their time together just added to Bill and Marilyns great marriage and family life. Along with their busyness and activity, they were always loving, kind and helpful. It was a blow to the family when Bill suffered a stroke in mid March. They all came back home to be with him and were by his side when he died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Throughout his life, Bill was surrounded by those who loved him as a man of integrity, faith and joy. Mr. C. William Wikman, age 86 of Muskegon, Michigan, is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn; daughters, Judith (Dr. Donald) Barkel of Birmingham, Jill (Stephen) Buckley of NC, Jennifer (Steven) Grimes of VA; son, James (Milissa) Wikman of TX; grandchildren, Katherine, Christina, Benjamin, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Annika, Emily, Amanda, Charles; brothers, David (Juanita) Wikman, Thomas (Andrea) Wikman; brothers & sisters-in-law, Barbara (Daniel) Seagren, Dale (Irme) Johnson; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service is Monday, March 28, 2011, 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Forest Park Covenant Church with Rev. Russell Carlson officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross-Senior Transportation or Forest Park Covenant Church or Alaska Christian College. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life StoryMuskegon Clock Life Story Funeral Home.