William Alec Green

Aged 82, passed away April 20, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Janet Green; and brother Richard Green.  Bill is survived by  his wife of 60 years, Suzanne; children, Kathy (Mark) Morrow, David (Rae) Green and John (Deanna) Green; grandchildren, Jacqueline (Rob) Campbell, Daniel (Becky) Morrow, Mary Morrow,  Alec Green, Anne Morrow,  Ainsley Green, Alyssa Green and Glenn Green; two great grandchildren, Julian David Campbell and Caroline Morrow; and sister-in-law Sadie Green.

Bill was born on July 25^th, 1936, and grew up on Chevrolet Ave. in Flint, MI during the city’s heyday. His lifelong love of the northern Michigan woods was established early on with his family’s many hunting and fishing expeditions.   Years later he and Sue would come to own “Duffy’s Tavern” at Barothy Lodge on the Pere Marquette River.

In 1959, Bill graduated with an MBA from the University of Michigan. Along the way he met the love of his life, Suzanne Dee Larobardiere. With a job at Sealed Power Piston Rings, Inc. and not a dime in his pocket, Bill and Sue moved to Muskegon and lived in a tent on the beach, waiting for that first pay check and the arrival of their first child Kathy.

Bill and Sue next moved to Grand Rapids, residing on Lafayette Avenue as Bill worked for Perry Printing Company. Shortly after, Bill established Great Lakes Business Service, and began his lifelong career as a business and tax accountant. In addition to his accounting skills, Bill’s clients appreciated his business acumen, mentoring and friendship.

The early Grand Rapids years were grounded in the lifelong friendships established at Eastminster Presbyterian Church where Bill served as Deacon and Elder. Bill and Sue were also supporters of Forest Hills (where Bill served as Deacon and Elder) and Westminster Presbyterian Churches.

In 1968 Bill and Sue moved out to the “country,” setting down roots in Cascade.  This move provided Bill the canvas to plan and execute his many building and landscape projects. The Cascade years were all about spending time with family and friends; Bill rarely missed his children’s sporting events, and assuaged his adventurous spirit through frequent travels.

Eventually Bill and Sue lived seasonally in Pentwater, establishing many close friendships over the years. Most recently they became part of the Cook Valley community in Grand Rapids.

At his 2002 retirement reception, Bill told friends and family that he was fortunate to have lived the American Dream. His greatest gift was his love for people. He loved and adored his wife Sue, was proud of his family and cherished his many friendships. He was a Gentlemen and a Teacher to us all.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 24 from 5-7:30 PM at the O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE andThursday from 10-11:00 AM at church.  Funeral services will be Thursday April 25 at 11:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church,  47 Jefferson SE, Rev. Dr. Riley Jensen, officiating.  Interment Cascade Cemetery Columbarium.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Henry Scholarship Fund, Pentwater Lake Association and the DeVos Learning Center at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.