William "Bill" Field

William D. "Bill" Field FIELD, MR. WILLIAM D. Shelby, MI William D. "Bill" Field passed away Fri., Dec. 30, 2005, surrounded by family and friends in his beloved Oceana County. Bill was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Shelby, the son of Meredith C. & Lillian Mae (France) Field. After graduating Shelby High School, Bill served as a Lt. in the US Army during the Occupation of Germany and Austria. Upon his return from Europe, Bill married Elizabeth A. Eilers on June 2, 1956, and he began working at the Whitehall Tannery. During this time Bill also managed his grandfather A. T. Field's farm west of Shelby, and after nine years at the tannery, in 1964, Bill began a long and prosperous farming career. Bill was an industrious and innovative farmer, and over the years Fieldcrest Custom Harvesting employed hundreds of local boys during the summer. Bill considered workers on his farm to be family members, and many life-long friendships were made working hard in the orchards along Michigan's west coast. Never content to sit on the sidelines, Bill was an active leader in many organizations over his life serving as a Boy Scout leader, a member of the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, a member of Farm Bureau, Past Master of the Benona Chapter of the Masonic Lodge, and a life member of the Oceana County Old Newsboys. Bill served on the Shelby Board of Education and as an Oceana County Commissioner. A member of the Oceana County Historical Society and avid genealogist, Bill's lineage in W. MI began in 1847 when his great-great grandmother, Josette DeRosier, a Chippewa woman, arrived in Grand Haven from Mackinac Island. As a member of the Stony Creek Historians, Bill helped publish "A Stony Lake History" in 1986. Bill was instrumental in the creation of the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail State Park, work for which he was recognized as a 1988 Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News, and awarded a Special Conservation Award by the MI United Conservation Club in 1988. While Bill traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, and wintered in Arizona for many years, his most beloved place in the world was the Oval Beach at Stony Lake. It was a love that Bill passed on to his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife Betty, sons, Ross (Jean) Field, and Robert Field, of Shelby; grandchildren, Julia and Madeline Field of Shelby, and William Ray Field of Venice, Florida. Bill is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie Peterson of Hart, and Margaret Knoth and Marlene Schihl of Shelby; brother-in-laws, Bob Schmike, John (Louise) Eilers, Russell (Paula) Eilers; and sister-in-laws Emmie Field, Margaret (Jerry) Leutzinger, Pat (Lane) White, Barb Cheever, and Vernetta Eilers; step-sisters Barbara Schuyler and Joan Schihl. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Schimke, and brothers, Frank "Bob" Field, and Ronald Field. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Bill Field will be held at the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, on Sat., Jan. 7, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at the church at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby District Library, Shelby Congregational Church Music Program, or Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana. You may leave a message of condolence or get directions at www.harrisfhome.com. Harris, Shelby 861-2360 or 1-888-216-9744