William "Bill" H.Rademaker

William Bill Rademaker was a hardworking, strong-willed and trustworthy man who, throughout his life, strove to be the best husband, father and grandfather. He worked hard to care of his loved ones and would sacrifice whatever was necessary to make sure they had what they needed. Bill had quite an adventurous side too, something he enjoyed sharing with his children and grandchildren. He was able to achieve great happiness in a life dedicated to the simple foundations of family and fun. The Great Depression dominated American life in the 1930s, an event that took its toll on everything from the largest factory to the smallest family. There was hope on the horizon, however, as President Franklin Roosevelt continued to enact his domestic reform program called the New Deal, which focused on Relief, Recovery and Reform. For Henry and Lillian (Ulmer) Rademaker of Muskegon, Michigan, hope shone in a different form as they welcomed the birth of their first child, son William, at home on July 11, 1936 (which was also the hottest day on record). He later became big brother to his sister, Nancy, who completed the Rademaker household. Bill, as he was called, grew up on Catawba Street in Muskegon, and attended Angel Elementary School. While his father earned a living working at Continental Motors, his mother was a busy homemaker. Bill was quite a handful growing up, and was always getting into trouble with his two cousins, Dean and Wayne. Daringly, they threw a firecracker at a police car once. But then again, it became a pretty regular occurrence at the Rademaker house for Bill to be brought home in the backseat of a police car, and his Mom asking Billy, what did you do now? Funny, the boys once decided to ride one of Grandpa Ulmers cows and he chased them through the field with a fly swatter. As Bill got older, his fearless spirit was channeled into his love of cars, and the thrill of drag racing. He would take the family car out with his good friends, Chuck Edlund and Jimmy Campenga, and drag race off duty police officers. Then, he built up a 1939 Ford that he used to race, and even let his buddy Chuck take it out west and race it there, and it won several trophies. Cars werent the only thing on Bills mind though; he loved his family and enjoyed time with them. From summers at the rented cottage in Arcadia, the family reunions on Crockery Lake near Ravenna, and the big Christmas gatherings at his grandparents house, he valued time with his family. Bill left Muskegon High School before graduating, but eventually went back and got his GED in 1967. Bill was 18 when his buddy, Chuck, set him up on a blind date with Anita Keefer. The young couple spent their first date at Pere Marquette Park and with that, their love story had begun. On June 25, 1955, Bill and Anita were happily married at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Muskegon. After a romantic honeymoon at Niagara Falls, the newlyweds settled into their first place together on Leahy Street for a short time before buying a house on Burton Street. They eventually put down roots in a home in Whitehall, and it was here that Bill and Anita raised their three children: Terry (1956), Rhonda (1959), and Tom (1970). As a father, Bill was always very attentive and supportive of his kids every endeavor and he taught them to always do their best at whatever they did. Bill lovingly assisted Anita when she was a Cub Scout Leader, videotaped his sons football games and stock car racing, built a dog sled with Terry, a Pine & Derby track with Tom, and sweetly encouraged Rhonda, his little butterfly, with her sewing and her music endeavors. Bill was especially happy when he could share his thrill-seeking activities with his kids, like getting his son Tom his first snowmobile at the age of 4. The family also loved to go quad and dune buggy riding together. Bill was a lifelong Reba McEntire fan and was privileged on one occasion to meet her back stage. Bill cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them. He worked a variety of jobs in various fields, including as a volunteer fireman with the Whitehall Fire Department. He also owned and operated Tastee Freeze on Apple Avenue, and Woodway Pallet Co., and was Plant Manager at IFR Wenting Division and a Computer Programmer at CNC Programming. Later on, he transported vehicles for Whitehall Ford and Lakeshore Dodge Sales. Like in his childhood, Bill treasured time together with his loved ones. In 2003, he and Anita bought 5 acres of land near Fountain, where they shared many unforgettable times with their entire family. They started out first in a mobile home followed by a garage and then 2 campsites for Terry and Tom (Terry and Deb were even married here). As a family, they also took numerous trips to Cedar Point and Mackinac Island. Their most memorable adventure together, however, was a 2 week trip that started in Sault Ste. Marie to Niagara Falls then down through New York to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Anita had relatives living there. At home, Bill loved to play video games with his grandkids, and one of his dreams was to fix up a 1966 Mustang, though it was eventually sold, and the dream was passed on to Rhondas son, Dallas. Over the years, Bill showed his soft side for animals by rescuing a baby raccoon when its tree came down, feeding it with an eye dropper. He also took in his daughters cat and had a pet skunk. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be greatly missed. William "Bill" H. Rademaker, age 75, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anita Rademaker; sons, Terry (Deb) Rademaker of N. Muskegon, Tom (Maya) Rademaker of Whitehall; daughter, Rhonda (Owen) Latsch of Whitehall; grandchildren, Cristina, Tyler, Kollin, Alia, Dallas, Travis and Sarah; and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Lee, and sister, Nancy. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert J. Conradt officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is on Wednesday, October 26, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Pheasants Forever, due to Bill's love of wildlife. Please visit Bills personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you may share a memory and sign his online guest book.