Willis DeWitt

Willis ?Bill? James DeWitt, 80, of St. Joseph died Saturday, July 23, 2005, at the home of his son Stephen in Bainbridge Township. A Funeral Service, thanking God for eternal life in his Son the Lord Jesus Christ, will be held 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 266 Chippewa, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Dr. John Hosler and Pastor Frank Hooper officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, 25, 2005, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial Donations may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church missions, Berrien County Cancer Society, or Hospice at Home, Stevensville location. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bill was born August 8, 1924 in Pipestone Township to Walter and Lila (McKenzie) DeWitt. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1942. On April 9, 1944 he married Arlene Ruth Yeske, who preceded him in death on June 4, 1992 after 48 years of marriage. On December 31, 1992 he married Irma Lucile Wise, who preceded him in death on April 11, 2005 after 12 years of marriage. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents and a stillborn sister, Alice DeWitt in 1922.Bill was a charter member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church, where he served as head usher for 33 years. Bill retired from Mutual of Detroit Insurance Company in 1989, but enjoyed working part-time as a bank courier, with his last employment being at LaSalle Federal Savings Bank in St. Joseph until August of 2003. Bill was also a big baseball fan (and player in his younger years), enjoyed coaching the girl?s softball team at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, and loved to go fishing. Bill is survived by his two sons ? Stephen (Bonnie) DeWitt of Bainbridge Township and their children Alissa, Steve, Anne, and Jonathan; James (Chrisie) DeWitt of St. Joseph and their children Anna, Jonathan, and Betsy; and a daughter Teresa Metz of Benton Harbor and her children Ron, Roger, and Trisha; three stepchildren Robert (Carolyn) Wise of Kalamazoo, David (Lauren) Wise of Cleveland, Ohio, and Donald (Marie) Wise of Wappingers Falls, New York; eight great-grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. Bill will be greatly missed by his family, church family, and friends.