William Ginman

The finer things in life never really mattered much to William H. Ginman, rather it was his dedication to both his work and his family that was the driving force behind his success. His family was the most important thing to Bill, and he found becoming a grandfather to be his greatest joy. Bill was intelligent and through hard work and dedication, he eventually earned a PhD, but it will be his fun-loving side and zest for life for which he will be forever remembered. The year 1941 was a year that was unlike any other in American history. The first third-term President was sworn into office, the largest increase in taxes up to that point in history was signed into law, and on December 7th of that year, Pearl Harbor was viciously attacked by the Japanese. It was also during this year that Herbert and Doris (Welton) Ginman were celebrating the birth of their son, William Herbert, on April 18th in Muskegon, Michigan. Williams father owned and operated Ginman Tire Company while his mother was a homemaker who also helped out at the store when needed. Bill, as he came to be known, was raised in the family home in the Lakeside neighborhood as one of five children and the only boy in his family. Faith was established as an important part of the Ginman family and together they attended First Congregational Church. Bill enjoyed a typical childhood for children of that generation, often playing sports with the neighborhood kids. He attended Bunker Middle School, and his family moved to North Muskegon while was still in school there. He later attended North Muskegon High School where he was the co-captain of the football team and was also his class president. After graduating from high school, Bill wasnt immediately ready for college so he found work in a local foundry. After working for a year he headed off to the University of Michigan. It took Bill some time to decide on Mechanical Engineering, but once he did, he pursued his education to a PhD. He eventually ended up at the Dearborn Campus of the university because of the co-op work/study program. During this time, he got married and was blessed with two sons: William, Jr. BJ and Scott. Although the marriage ended in divorce, Bill was awarded full custody of his boys. A new chapter in Bills life began while he was living in the student housing apartments with his boys. He met a pretty young lady named Wilma Willie Rose, who was also a tenant in the student housing complex. What started as a friendship grew into a dating relationship, and it wasnt long before the two had fallen deeply in love. They were married in Detroit on August 31, 1968, and the couple settled into Bills apartment, becoming an instant family. Over the next years the family grew to include eight children in all, and Bill was an excellent father. When the children were young they often played a game called Whos the Strongest in which all eight kids climbed on their fathers back. Bill also made the best fried potatoes and omelets for breakfast. Their family was very close and Bill was active in his childrens lives including attending many of his sons hockey games. They also attended First Congregational Church together. When he was finished his PhD at the University of Michigan, he took a position as a professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He moved to Canada with his family where they blended right in with the community, even learning to speak French. After three years Bill was unsatisfied with the bureaucracy of the University and decided to return to Muskegon where he joined his father in the family business, Ginman Tire Company. Their family settled into a home in the Norton Shores neighborhood. Bill was very dedicated to the tire store, and through the years all the children helped out there from time to time. Three of his children, Julie, BJ, and Robert, are currently working at the store full-time. However, life was not all about work for Bill, as he also enjoyed a diverse palette of interests. He loved to sail and earned his captains license. He and Willie would head to the Caribbean nearly every year with other couples. They also kept a sailboat at Hartshorn Marina in Muskegon. Bill and Willie loved traveling other places too, taking several trips to Europe. He started playing hockey on a mens league in his sixties, and also enjoyed playing golf. When his grandchildren began arriving, he fully embraced this new lot in life and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren as often as he could. Bill often took them out for ice cream even when their parents said no. He was also a member of the Greater Muskegon Evening Optimist Club, and the Mona Lake Boat Club. As much as Bill loved all of these activities, his family was always of the greatest importance in his life. He remained close to his sisters and their families, often gathering for holidays or just to have fun times. No matter what he was doing, William Ginman gave everything his all. He was a man of great strength and determination who was even able to successfully battle throat cancer not once, but twice. Bill was a man who was all about family and working hard, but he loved having fun too. One of his favorite places to be was sailing on Muskegon Lake with his wife, Willie, and family. Although Bills family will miss him dearly, they will forever cherish the moments they were given to share with their beloved brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. William H. Ginman died Friday, October 9, 2009. Bills family includes his lovely wife Wilma "Willie"; Step-mother: Esther Ginman; 8 children: B. J. (Dawn Veach) Ginman, Scott (Cristi) Ginman, Julie (Jim) Hunter, Elaine (Joe) O'Connor, Tom (Missy) Ginman, Charley (Kate) Ginman, Robert (Donielle Routt) Ginman, and Karen (Michael) Cedar; 13 (almost 15) grandchildren: Jeremy Ginman, Hayden Ginman, Gavin Hunter, Madelyn Ginman, Andrew OConnor, Grace Ginman, Aleigha Hunter, Abbie Ginman, Ethan Ginman, Alicia OConnor, Wilton Ginman, Liam Ginman, Ryan OConnor, and OConnor twin girls on the way!; 3 sisters: Lynn (Ted) Mauseth, Mary (Tony) Powell, Nancy (Ken) Overman, Diane (Phil) Tardani; as well as 6 nieces and nephews: Tim (Lisa) Russell, Ted (Vicki) Mauseth, Jim (Veronica) Mauseth, Mary (Brian) Courville, Mathew Overman, Lisa Overman. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church with Rev. Tim Vanderhaar. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the William H. Ginman Scholarship Fund.