William "Bill" Arthur Shaffer

William Arthur Shaffer, age 71, went to be with his Lord Friday, August 26, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Jean Shaffer; and sister, Linda McGarry. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Jeanne M. Shaffer; sister, Karen (Pete) Adams; and children Laura (Ryan) Sytsma, David (Carrie Koeman) Shaffer, and Emily (Michael) Hudkins. He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Caleb Sytsma, Arie Sytsma, Clive Sytsma, Addison Shaffer, Brayden Shaffer, Ella Shaffer, Hudson Shaffer, Logan Hudkins, Andrew Hudkins, and Maxwell Hudkins.

Bill was born April of 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up on the northeast side, walking to school past his mother’s childhood home and the neighboring homes where his great-grandparents met. At 16, Bill took a job at Hazekamp’s peanut and candy shop, where he wouldn’t close up until balancing to the last penny - a commitment to accuracy and integrity that remained throughout his life. Bill met Jeanne in college, and they married during a blizzard March 23, 1974. In 1976, Bill and Jeanne’s lives were forever changed when they accepted Christ as their Savior and gave their lives over to serve God. A year later, their first child was born. Bill sold his drum set to purchase her crib.

Bill and Jeanne had three children: Laura, David, and Emily. They invested their time and talents into teaching their children, caring for their parents, and ministering to those in need in the name of Jesus. Bill’s children remember him coming home from work to eat dinner together, play games, and help with homework before he would settle into his chair surrounded by Bible translations to prepare the lesson for his Sunday school class at the Friendship Chapel, a storefront mission church where they served. Bill continued to teach adult Bible studies at other churches and greatly enjoyed teaching The Bethel Bible Series, a comprehensive two-year study of the Bible. Bill worked in accounting at Parker Motor Freight for many years, then felt called to counseling ministry at Guiding Light Mission, where he worked until his retirement.

Bill was a humble servant of God who put others above himself. He is remembered for his endearing sense of humor, always able to make those around him smile and know that they were special. Despite many health challenges in later life, Bill spent countless hours playing with his grandchildren and teaching them how to live lives that glorify God. Bill and Jeanne took many adventurous trips together and with their family to Northern Michigan, Canada, and across the U.S. He was a gifted musician, an avid table tennis player, and most of all, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bill’s legacy of service to the Lord and to others will live on through his family, friends, and all those who knew him. We look forward to reuniting with Bill and our Savior for all eternity.

Visitation with family and friends will take place from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 2, 2022 at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 3 at Cook Memorial Chapel, with visitation from 10-11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s honor to Emmanuel Hospice, whose staff so lovingly cared for Bill this past year. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.