Armstrong, Pastor William Pastor William Bill Henry Armstrong, age 79 of White Cloud, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the Gerber Memorial Health Services in Fremont. Bill was born on June 16, 1928 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Jack and Dorothy (McClanathan) Armstrong and moved to the Charlevoix, Michigan area at an early age. Bill joined the United States Army Air Force where he served in Guam during World War II. After his return from the war, he met and married Alma Powell on November 9, 1947 in Charlevoix. Bill had been a woodworker for Freedmans in Charlevoix for 20 years and then started his 2nd career in the ministry where he attended and graduated from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. Bill served the 1st Baptist Church in Newberg, Michigan for 20 years until 1990 when he retired from the full time ministry, but continued his ministry in mission work throughout the United States. Bill was currently serving as the interim pastor at the Blue River Valley Church in Muscoda, Wisconsin at the time of his passing. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, mules, model railroading, woodworking, collecting various things over the years and was an avid western novel reader. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alma of White Cloud; his daughters, Toni James of Virginia City, Montana; Teri (Dave) Wright of White Cloud; Trudi Spinner of Richland Center, Wisconsin; Tami Boelman (Scott Walmer) of Muscoda, Wisconsin; Terese Armstrong of Asheville, North Carolina; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; his sister, Donna (Tom) Morrison of Charlevoix; his brother, Joe (Annette) Armstrong of Marcellus, Michigan; several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his foster son, Randy; his granddaughter, Becky Spinner; his sister, June Pagel and brothers, Jack, James and George Armstrong. Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 from the Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel with Rev. Harry Bultema of the Croton Community Church presiding. Friends may consider the Gideons Bible Program for memorial contributions in memory of Bill. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory online with the Armstrong family at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel Click here to post a condolence or share a memory of Pastor William Armstrong on-line Hello to all who knew this wonderful man! He was in my life since I was born 38 years ago. He and I would talk after church about banana cream pie and how much we both loved it. He also came out to Colorado in 1994 to marry me to my husband Kurt Veloff and have the most memorable wedding there ever was. It was a hot air balloon wedding which was the experience once in a lifetime experience. He also guided me in the right godly footsteps as I have had bumps in my marriage as all couples do. I now reside in Grand Junction, CO and think of his laugh that would cheer me up all the time. He was a wonderful pastor, friend, counselor and a cool cowboy with his hat and boots that he loved to wear. Thank you for sharing Pastor Bill with me and my family. We loved him and will miss him very much. My name is Heidi Veloff and my husband Kurt with 2 kids, Cody and Brooke send our condolences to Alma and the family. Posted 12/20/07 Our Dear Alma and Famlies, Our hearts and prayers are with you all in this untimely passing of Pastor Bill. He was and always will be so dear to us. May our dear Savior be with you all with His abundent love and comfort during this time. God grant you the peace in knowing that His timing is always perfect. We love you all. God Will Keep You Close. Love and Prayers, Allen and Kim Lammott and family Posted 12/20/07 Much of my bible training and core christian values are because of the years I served as a church worker under Pastor Bill and Alma's ministry at Poes Corners church. Under his leadership, he consoled me, took the time to teach and encourage me to serve as a music director, board member and how to build a church by biblical standards and by swinging a hammer, trowel and paint brush! During his years in Jones, Bill led people to the Lord, worked side by side with individuals and families and cared deeply for God's people. Even now, nearly 17 years after retirement, I still come across people that ask about the Armstrong's and often they mention their relationship wether it be church related, running coon dogs or hunting bear and deer. Just tonight on my way home from work, I saw a truck with a cap on it that was just like Bill's truck rounding the corner on 40/60 into Speedy mart! I will always cherish the lessons, directions and guidance Bill gave me. Girls - You are terrific daughters. your Dad loved you very much. Thank you for hanging in there when the Lord called Dad to go to bible school when he did. It was tough to do but so many lives were touched. Alma, Philippians 1:3-11 Philippians 4: 4-20 I will not forget these teachings. May God comfort you and give you all you need. We shall rejoice! Sincerely, Al, Tammy Andy and Matt, The Churchill's Posted 12/21/07 Bill will be remembered as a man of energy and love of life. He was the pastor of Fox Hollow Church in 1974 where He united my wife and I with a wedding service on the front lawn of the church. I remember times we went raccoon hunting in the fields and Bill loved the sound of the hounds baying and the night sky. He will be missed . But we have the hope in Christ that we will see him again in Heaven. Because Christ lives, death is not a tragedy but triumph. With God's love and strength Nathan and Sandra Lindeke Posted 12/21/07 I will miss Bill always. He and Alma have been such wonderful friends and such a support as I answer God's call. I know that Bill is in His loving Saviour's arms and that they are enjoying each other with such joy. I had just received their Christmas card and was so excited to know he and Alma were pastoring more of God's children. Bill has left a beautiful legacy of true Christian devotion to God and His beautiful son, Jesus Christ. I hope that we may all use the example of this wonderful man who was truly welcomed home with God's words, "Well done good and faithful servant". God bless you all. April Ruth and family Posted 12/22/07 My dearest Alma, My thoughts and prayer's are with you and your family, my dear. It was such a shock for me to read of Pastor Bill's passing, but we know in our heart's that he is now with our beloved Lord. I know from experience how you are feeling with your loss. We haven't kept in contact these past few years and I'm so sorry for this. It saddens my heart to tell you that I lost Clyatt (Clay) this past November (13th), in an auto accident. It seems that he suffered from a heart attack while driving, which in turn resulted in a terrible accident. I am struggling with my loss each day, but I have asked God to help me through this difficult time. Pastor Bill performed our wedding ceremony, Clyatt and I had celebrated our 20th anniversary this past July. I remember the wonderful, wonderful times we all had together. Please call me when it's convenient for you. My home number: (269)279-5876 or my cell number: (269)816-2982. I would love to hear from you. In Christian love, Sue Lemacks 1117 8th Street Three Rivers, MI. 49093 Posted 12/22/07 Dear Alma and Family, Words cannot express the grief we feel upon the passing of Bill. What a wonderful guy!!! We feel so blessed to have had him, and you Alma, as part of our lives for the last few months. Floyd and Shirley Bethke Posted 12/22/07 Alma and family, I was saddened when I received the news of Pastor Bill's passing into eternity...but started smiling when I remembered the spiritual impact he had on my life. I was saved at a young age at the bedside of my Grandma Vera Miller Reith. My early church memories include walking down the driveway from my home to Fox Hollow Bible Church where Pastor Heinz pastored and then Pastor Bill Armstrong. It would be under Pastor Bill's preaching that I realized I needed to take the first spiritual step of obedience and be baptized. In my early teenage years, Pastor Bill baptized me in a local river. This would be the beginning of my desire to serve the Lord in the path that He had chosen for me. I recently moved to Ohio with my family -- husband, Denver, and children, Crystal, Daniel and Bethany. I had lived in Watertown, WI all of my years following college and was "comfortable" in this setting. It was with some hesitation that I moved to Ohio...but I wanted to be obedient to God's leading and this included following my husband. Since our move here, we have learned that the church has been praying for someone to come and start a deaf ministry. This was something that Denver and I had both been involved in for 23 years in Wisconsin. At this point, God confirmed that this is where He wanted us to be to further share the gospel in this area with those who cannot hear. I truly believe that early spiritual leadership builds foundations for making major decisions later in life. Pastor Bill was a man that God used to start my spiritual foundation in my youth in order for me to be ready for the tasks God has for me today. Thinking of and praying for you during this time of sorrow, Christi Jean (Hicks) Staller Posted 12/26/07 It's hard to put into words the thoughts and memories that have come flooding into my mind since we read about the passing of Bill. Out of respect I should say Pastor Bill - but when I knew him he was just Bill to me or the Dad of my friends - Teri, Trudi, Tami, and Trese - especially Trudi. It's been many years since I was just a young girl at Ottawa Center Chapel and got to know the Armstrong Family. My heart goes out to you Alma and the entire family. My first thoughts are of sadness for you, when I think of how I will feel one of these days when my own dear parents will be called to glory. But my thoughts are also of a great celebration that has already taken place when Bill arrived home to be with his Heavenly Father. One thing we can trust fully in will be that celebration day we will also experience if we believe, when we see Bill and all our other loved ones who have gone on ahead, whether it be when we pass from this life or when we hear that great trumpet announcing God's return. Trudi, it's been awhile since we've connected but Brian and I think of you often and would love to get back in touch. God Bless you all and may His peace and strength be with you at this time and through the coming days. Brian and Suellyn (Koning) Metten [email protected] Posted 1/6/08 Dear Alma and family I did not learn until only recently of Bill's passing. I am writing this for myself as well as my parents, Ike and June VanderJagt. Dad asked me if I would let you know he has you in his thoughts as does my Mother. I am Penny Workman, the oldest...I know you remember all of us just as we've always so fondly remembered all of you. We remember your allowing us to camp on your property down by Lake Michigan and how much fun we had looking for Petosky Stones, how I learned to waterski on Torch Lake, how all of us had so much fun with your family. Five girls for you, four girls and a boy at our end. We always felt so blessed to have known all of you. The connecting link of course was Effie and we were so grateful for her as well. The memories we formed back then have and will continue to last us all of our lives. My own husband died 13 months before your Bill. I struggle daily with the separation between us but know I will see him again someday. Bill passed away on my own wedding anniversary so I know I will think of him on that day always and often (as always) throughout the year. If any of you would like to contact the VanderJagt family, please feel free to call me at 231-777-2032. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as your life moves on without the physical presence of such a wonderful husband and father. May you always know how much his life meant in the lives of so many others. God bless you all ~~~ Ike & June Vander Jagt, Penny Workman, Melody (Don) Stressman, Amber (Greg) Garrow, Holly Cole, Ross (Angie) Vander Jagt and families. Posted 4/18/08