William Vander Galien

William Vander Galien, age 72, was called home to his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 from his Friesland residence following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

William was born at the home of his grandparents on August 6, 1935, to Willard and Jessie (Stiemsma) Vander Galien. William was a lifelong Friesland area resident, and he attended the Randolph Christian School in East Friesland. He served his country with the United States Army from 1954-1956 in Germany. Upon his return, William engaged in farming north of Friesland. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Katsma on December 13, 1957 in East Friesland. They owned and operated their dairy and hog farm until 2005 when they retired and moved to the village of Friesland, where he became an employee of the village in the Building and Maintenance Department. He was a lifelong member of the First Randolph Christian Reformed Church where he served terms as both elder and deacon. William was a past board member of the Randolph Christian School. His life of service for our Lord was evident to family and friends as he served his church, family, and community. In the Village of Friesland, William was a Volunteer Firefighter for forty-three years. He also volunteered with his wife working for many mission projects with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. William was also a board member for South Central Mutual Insurance Company.

William is survived by Evelyn, his wife of fifty years; three children, LeRoy (Rochelle) Vander Galien of Deerfield, WI; Marcia (Jeff) Cupery, Friesland, WI; and Nancy (Ivan) Brouwer, Swartz Creek, MI; four grandchildren, Ben Cupery; Jessica, Ethan and Shawn Brouwer; nine siblings, Harold (Angie) Vander Galien, Dade City, FL; Gil (Texie) Vander Galien, Lexington, SC; Erma (Donald) Kindschuh, Waupun; Bea (Ken) Smits, Troy, MI; Roy (Linda) Galien, Ada, MI; Norma (Dr. Thomas) Meyer, Denver, CO; Sue (Craig) Pihl, Hudsonville, MI; June (Rich) Greenfield, Markesan, WI; Warren (Mitzi) Vander Galien, Hayward, CA; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Jennie Westra, Beaver Dam; Katie Boorsma, Randolph; Elsie Winkel, Waupun; Dorothy (Frank) Leystra, Cambria; Clarence (Gertie) Katsma, Cambria; Gerald (Pauline) Katsma, Oostburg; Dewey Katsma, Friesland; Ann (Seibert) Kooima, Sioux Falls, SD; Carol (Ray) Moat, Oregon, WI; Dorothy Katsma, Oostburg; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

William was preceded in death by his parents; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephews, and a niece.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the First Christian Reformed Church, N8876 East Friesland Road, Randolph with the Rev. Ken Prol officiating. Burial will follow in the Friesland Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 401 of Cambria.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Randolph Community Funeral Home, 208 South High Street, Randolph and again on Saturday at the Church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established in William’s name for various organizations.