Becker

Mr. William “Bill” Becker, age 88, of Rockford, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. He grew up on the family farm in Courtland Township , the son of Albert and Grace (nee Stewart) Becker. Bill left school at a very young age to help with the chores. During WWII he was drafted into the US Navy. He married Donna Potes, and she died in 1958. When Bill returned from the war, he helped his family to remodel and build barns and also worked part-time at Kent City Ford. He then went to work at Teledyne Continental as a machinist. In 1961 he married Rosie Thiebout Pierce, and she died in 2000. Bill served as a firefighter for Algoma Township . He enjoyed hunting deer and small game and played fast-pitch softball. For his whole life enjoyed following the Tigers. Love for his family was his first priority and he also liked tinkering in his workshop where he made special parts for people. He even made a mini hay baler and a blueberry picker. Bill was blessed with a mechanical mind. Bill is survived by his children, Michael and Vivian Becker, Diane Pierce, Joe Pierce; grandchildren, Pamela and Greg Bunton, Kimberly Fisher, Brian and Rachel Pierce, Jody Pierce, Beth Pierce, Ginger and Charles Nelson, and Ward and Tina Kortz; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters and brother, Mrs. Martha Parker, Laura and Edward Smith, Kenneth Becker. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Iva Cramer, Wilma Peavy, and Arlene Zimmerman, and his brother, Carl Becker. The Service for Mr. Becker will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home. Military honors will be under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard with interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens .