Bill Schipper, 90

Willis (Bill) Schipper, age 90, of Colon, and formerly of Allendale, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater.
Bill was born Nov. 6, 1926 in Allendale Township, a son of the late Minord M. and Anna M. (Van Single) Schipper.
Early in life, he lived in Allendale, moving to Indiana in 1976 and to Colon in 1996.
In 1946, he married Joan Konyndyk, which ended in divorce. In 1978, he married Julia Hall. She preceded him in 1996.
Bill had worked as a truck driver, driving for Michigan Express, Long Transportation, Central Transport and Wolverine Motor Express, retiring in 1986.
He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 406 of Grand Rapids and Local 142 of Gary, Ind.
He is survived by a daughter ,Ruthann “Rudy” Bengtson of Grand Haven; a son, Robert Schipper of Colon; a daughter-in-law, Belinda Schipper of Tucson, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Schipper (Susan) Bengtson of Tucson and Timothy (Yvonne) Schipper of Miami; three grandchildren; a brother, Theodore M. Schipper of Colon; and two nephews, Chad and Tod Schipper, both of Colon.
He was preceded in death by a son, Dr. William J. Schipper; a son-in-law, Steve Bengtson; a niece, Debra (Schipper) Hayes; and dear friend Lorie Downy.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. A graveside service and burial will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Allendale Cemetery in Allendale, with the Rev. David J. Farrell officiating.