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William & Shirley Camburn

November 24, 1944 - October 2, 2019
Paw Paw, MI

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Visitation

Monday, October 7, 2019
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Service

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Burial

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
2:00 PM EDT
Fairview Cemetery
24875 M Drive S
Homer, MI 49245

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Senior Services of Van Buren County
600 East Michigan Avenue
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 637-3607
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With eyes turned to Heaven, Shirley's homecoming with the Lord has set her heart and mind at peace. She once said that she had unfinished business in Heaven with those she loved. In life, William was a true Christian conservative who loved the Lord. Along with the power of prayer, may we find peace within our hearts, remembering the moments we shared with them both.

Shirley began her life in London, England on November 24, 1944. She, along with her mother, moved to America aboard the Queen Ann and traveled by train eventually making their home in Muskegon, Michigan. Living close to the lake, Shirley always appreciated the beaches and looking out on the water.

In the city of Homer, Michigan, William greeted the world on Saint Patrick's day, March 17, 1938. William and his siblings spent their childhood finding adventures on the family farm. For William, that meant milking the cows among many other daily chores. He learned how to hunt and fish at an early age and continued these outdoor sports into his adulthood.

Shirley and William shared over 50 years in this lifetime together. The two met while Shirley was working in Child Evangelism, as her host family introduced them. They immediately realized they had a strong attraction to each other because of their mutual love of God. William wasted no time asking for Shirley's hand in marriage. They exchanged vows on December 18, 1965, in Muskegon, Michigan. After settling into married life together, they readied themselves for parenthood. They welcomed their children, Stephanie, Heather, Joyce, Roy, and Leon, into the world to complete the Camburn family.

While raising the family, William worked as the Van Buren County Road Commission Engineering manager while Shirley stayed home to keep the house organized and functioning smoothly. Always budget conscious, Shirley and William knew how to stretch the value of a dollar. They were even known to allow their daughters just a single can of Aquanet hairspray every two weeks to help hold up their big hair. As their children grew up and created adult lives of their own, Shirley and William celebrated the gift of 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren whom they doted on with affection and adoration.

Shirley taught her children and grandchildren to be compassionate toward those in need. She was a natural caretaker, often helping the homeless and caring for people with a gentle and loving spirit. Her actions modeled the importance of having a strong faith and family values. Shirley always remained true to her English heritage even after becoming a naturalized citizen. She shared her love of Red Rose tea, and the proper tea time, with her children. Some tea’s her son would even special order from across the pond!

William instilled the importance of hard work in the family. Like Shirley, his faith in the Lord was intentional through his actions. He was an example of a man who kept his word and lived his life with integrity. William offered help to those in need without them even realizing it, while standing up for what was right, even in the face of adversity.

In their time together, they greatly enjoyed traveling. The two spent a lot of time in the air flying to many places across the U.S. and abroad. As a certified flight instructor, William shared his passion and taught numerous young pilots over the course of 50 years. One of Shirley's favorite trips with William was returning to her place of birth, England. Their faith in God also took them to the Holy Land where they walked in the footsteps of Jesus and marveled in their faith. They also shared many road trips together in their Model A Ford. As a young man, William ventured to Chicago in the Model A Ford with his father, traveling only 35 miles per hour on a dirt road, camping on the side of the road along the way to rest. His family still has the Model A which now has “Not for sale” spray painted on the side courtesy of William.

It is with great and unexpected sadness we must realize our loss of two loved ones. Their combined and constant faith in the Lord helps our grieving hearts, as it is comforting to know they have found peace and contentment with Him in Heaven.

William and Shirley Camburn of Paw Paw, went home to be with their Lord on October 2, 2019. Shirley was 74 years old, and William was 81 years old. Preceding them in death were grandchildren: William Camburn, Joshua Rediger; siblings, Karen Straw, Nina Anslie, and Paul Davis. Surviving are their children: Stephanie (Jon) Rediger, Heather Camburn, Joyce (Matt) Holewa, Roy (Kelly) Camburn, Leon (Shawna) Camburn; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and 1 expected in March; siblings: Daniel (Sandy) Camburn, Janice Curry, Lynn Hoover, Jim (Miriam) Davis, Jennifer Storm, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visit with family and friends from 5 PM to 8 PM on Monday, October 7, 2019, at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 Michigan 40, Paw Paw, MI 49079 (269) 657-3870 where services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Burial will take place at 2 PM at Fairview Cemetery in Homer, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Senior Services of Van Buren County.

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