William Vogelzang, Sr

August 01, 1921 - September 20, 2013 William Vogelzang Sr., a lifelong Holland, Michigan resident and recently of Freedom Village, died on September 20, 2013 after a brief illness having reached the age of 92 on August 1 of this year. Bill was the youngest of eight children of Dutch immigrant parents, Jan and Klaasje Vogelzang who immigrated to Holland Michigan in 1907, 106 years ago. He attended Holland Christian schools and Michigan State University. While a student at MSU he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the start of WW II. Because of his aptitude for math, Bill was sent by the Army for further engineering studies to the army specialized training program at Road Island State University. He trained at the various artillery's school there before being assigned to A Battery 308th Battalion of the 78th infantry division during World War II as an artillery forward observer and radio team member. While in active combat service in France and Germany he was wounded at Simmerath, Germany on December 14, 1944, two days before the commencement of the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944. Bill believed his injury may have been the method by which God saved his life given the high number of causalities in his unit resulting from of that enemy offensive. He was hospitalized for many months and was awarded the Purple Heart medal and other location and achievement awards. His WWII service shaped him in many ways as it did for many of his generation. Bill married 19 year old Betty Jane Bergsma of Grand Rapids on September 8, 1945 (deceased 1996) during the war while on furlough. The marriage lasted 52 years and was blessed with five married children. William Jr. (Laura Ver Merris); James (Mary Beth Hoffmeyer); Steven (Janice Tucker); Shirley Hoogstra (Jeff); and, Elizabeth Maring (Clarence). He has 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Bill also leaves a special friend, Marion Nelson. His seven siblings, Leonard, Geraldine, Henrietta, John, Abraham, Wilma, and Nickolas preceded him to glory. Bill loved his family and friends. After his service career, Bill entered the family Vogelzang Hardware business in Holland and enjoyed being a downtown merchant for nearly 40 years. Later, his business career led him to establish Vogelzang International, an import company dealing in energy-related products from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. He was in China one week after the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989 and over the years watched China grow into the super power that it is today. Together with his son Steve, they expanded the business by selling to customers in the UK and all over the USA. Later in life, he and his wife Betty enjoyed developing the land that is now Song Bird Lane on 40th Street. Bill loved to travel, first with Betty, then with his friends, visiting over 50 countries. He was interested in all things related to business. He never really considered himself retired. As a retail merchant for much of his life he learned to remember names and rarely forgot a person's face. No one in his family could replicate the skill with such accuracy or delight. While living at Freedom Village, he met a first grade classmate from Central Ave. Christian Elementary School and immediately recalled her name to the delight of the hearer. Bill had many wonderful characteristics; chief among them was as an encourager. Bill was a long-term member and elder at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, Evergreen Commons and is a 40 year member of the Holland Rotary club. Bill enjoyed being involved in many volunteer, civic engagements and service. They included being president of the Bethany Christian Services organization, President of Holland City Board of Public Works, Chair of Holland Christian School Board, member of the Kuyper College Board, Chair of the mayor's city officers' compensation committee, Chair of the Holland Zoning Board of Appeals and Member of the City Planning Commission. Bill's vision, civility, optimism and clear thinking made him a natural leader everywhere he went. The family is especially grateful to Freedom Village and Holland Hospice House for providing a wonderful home and hospice care to Bill. Special appreciation also belongs to Dr. David Young, M.D. Bill's primary physician and Rev. Jacob Heerema, Bill's pastor, for the professional and spiritual advice Bill highly valued. Bill credits his life achievements to the blessing of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bill demonstrated determination, optimism and hard work mixed with a lot of prayer. His motto, "You Can" is an Illustration of the Bible verse, "He took me from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock." Solo deo Gloria. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, 11 East 32nd Street, Holland, MI 49423. The Reverend Jacob Heerema will officiate. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 27, 2013 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th Street, Holland. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Holland Christian Schools, Calvin College or Hospice of Holland.

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William Vogelzang, Sr

August 1, 1921 - September 20, 2013