William Edmund “Bill” Christensen, 81, of Galesburg, Illinois, died Wednesday June 14, 2017 at Butterworth-Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
William was born January 10, 1936, in Hart, Michigan, the son of August T. and Jean (Gathercoal) Christensen. He married Martha E. Beaty March 30, 1958, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Monmouth, Illinois. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2010.
William is survived by two sons, David (Becky) Christensen of Galesburg and Jeff (Pamela) of Augusta, Michigan; a daughter, Karen (Steven) Hoybook of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, August Christensen, and his parents.
Bill graduated from Pentwater High School in 1954, and then attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he met Martha Beaty, who became the love of his life and wife of 52 years. While at Bethel, Bill played on the college baseball and football teams. Bill then attended the University of Michigan studying civil engineering. Bill was a lifelong University of Michigan football fan. Bill later graduated from Western Michigan University with a Master’s Degree in Education.
Bill began his working life as a civil engineer in Alaska building bridges. After Bill and Martha were married, they moved to Alaska, where David was born. Bill always loved his time in Alaska and had always hoped he could return one day.
Bill and Martha returned from Alaska in 1961 and Bill started his career in education. He started as a classroom teacher in Pentwater, his home town, and taught in several other districts in Western Michigan, including a one-room school in Shelby, Michigan. In 1970, Bill moved his family to Vermontville, Michigan, where he was a school principal. In 1987, Bill and Martha moved to Grand Marais, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to be Superintendent of Schools. Bill retired in 1997, moving to Galesburg to become the first administrator of the Galesburg Christian School.
Bill retired in 2000 and began spending his summers “up north” in Scottville, Michigan, and winters “down south” in Galesburg. Bill was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg, and attended Victory Baptist Church in the summer in Michigan. Bill served on the Elder Board and Missions Committee at Bethel.
Bill loved to help others and was an excellent carpenter. He volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in Michigan, volunteered for the ambulance crew in Grand Marais, and FISH Food Pantry in Galesburg. Bill also loved to read and play Bridge-he belonged to a Bridge club in Galesburg and Scottville.
Bill played trumpet beginning in 1948 with the Pentwater Civic Band. Bill also played in the Scottville Clown Band and Ludington Concert Band in Michigan, along with the Rootabaga Jammers, Galesburg-Knox College Concert Band, and Western Illinois Wind Band in Illinois.
Bill was a lifelong Detroit Tiger and Lions fan.
Last fall Bill, his two sons, and daughter-in-law took a special trip to Denmark. Bill spent nine days touring the country from which his grandfather immigrated.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Scott Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery in Monmouth, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, FISH Food Pantry, or the Scottville Clown Band Endowment Fund. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors of Galesburg is handling arrangements for the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
