William W. "Bill" Smolenski's Obituary
William W. “Bill” Smolenski, age 79 of Grand Haven, died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids after a brief illness. Bill was born March 14, 1929 in Grand Rapids. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Smolenski in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Millie, his children; John (Sue) Smolenski, Tom Smolenski, JoAnne Smolenski and Susie Smolenski all of Grand Haven; as well as his grandchildren, Matt (Kara) Smolenski (great-granddaughter Angel Boswell) of Grand Haven, Tim Smolenski of Grand Rapids and Tim’s special friend Kellie Schmidt of Lansing; and the family cat “Bailey”. He is also survived by his brothers; J. Robert Smolenski of Grand Rapids and John (Jo) Smolenski of Park Ridge, IL; his in-laws, Herb (Glenna) Knape of Grand Rapids, Robert Thomas of Spring Lake, and Gerry (Dave) Getzhoff of New Smyrna Beach, FL; along with his best friends Tom and Mickie Fox of Grand Rapids. He was also preceded in death by his parents; John and Irene Smolenski; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Mayme Knape; his sisters-in-law, Mary Smolenski, Winnie Knape, Charlotte Andrea, and Mary Ellen Thomas; and brother-in-law, Matt Andrea, also his dear friend Richard Lacks, Sr.
Bill graduated from Catholic Central High School and attended Aquinas College, as well as Detroit College of Law. He was employed by the American Automobile Association of Michigan for 49 years as Regional Manager in several offices in the West Michigan area. He loved working with all of the people. He was past president of the Holland Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Spring Lake Country Club, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, a life long member of the Knights of Columbus, and had served on the board of Kandu, Inc. He loved to travel, taking many cruises and traveling to Europe twenty-three consecutive years in a row. He also loved traveling to Carmel, California.
The Smolenski family wishes to thank all of the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for the kind and compassionate care Bill and his family received during Bill’s time there. The Smolenski’s also wish to thank all of their family and friends for their support throughout the years.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Rev. Tony Vainavicz officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 8 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Vigil Service being held at 7:45 pm at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad of Grand Haven. Friends may also meet the family one hour prior to the service on October 9, 2008 at the church. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s name to Kandu, Inc., 4190 Sunnyside Drive, Holland, MI 49424. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad
Grand Haven
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