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William T. Glass

December 17, 1930 - October 16, 2024
Kalamazoo, MI

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Mass

Tuesday, October 22, 2024
11:00 AM EDT
St. Thomas More Parish
421 Monroe St
Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Lunch will follow in the church hall.

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.

YWCA
353 E. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 345-5595
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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As friends and family members will surely attest, William Glass truly understood the secret to a life well lived. He was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to care for others. Nothing brought Bill greater joy than surrounding himself with his loved ones. His legacy is one of unfailing courage, laughter, and devotion. Deeply missed, Bill will be forever cherished by those who knew him best.

The early 1930s were tumultuous years for the United States and the rest of the world. The Great Depression was a dark shadow over the country following the historic stock market crash in 1929. Families across the nation struggled to pull together and make ends meet. It was during this time that William made his entrance into the world in Ann Arbor. He was immediately adopted by, William and Josephine Glass, and welcomed into their family.

Throughout his childhood, Bill was a typical young man of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home and attended local schools. After graduating from Our Lady of Lake Huron High School, Bill spent one summer as a porter on an ore boat on the Great Lakes. Then, in 1949, he followed the call to serve his country and joined the United States Navy in a one-year enlistment program with a six-year reserve provision. It was while serving in the Navy that Bill learned to box, discovering a passion that would stay with him for many years.

Once Bill had been discharged from the military, he pursued further education at Western Michigan University, where he enrolled in a retail business program. He quickly took an interest in art, and in 1952, he transferred to Notre Dame University to study under the Croatian master, Ivan Mestrovic. Bill went on to earn his BFA in sculpture in 1955, as well as an MFA in 1957. He also had the opportunity to paint fresco murals with Jean Charlot, a key artist of the Mexican Mural Renaissance.

Of all the things Bill loved in life, he treasured his family above all else. He fell in love with a remarkable young woman named, Rose Mary O’Berski from Parisville. Then the two were married on November 30, 1957 in Newport, Kentucky. Together, Bill and Rose were overjoyed to welcome their five beloved children: Christopher, Michael, Billie Jo, Andrea Rose, and Amy, into their hearts and home. Bill thrived in his role as a father, and he loved to spend as much time with his children as he could, whether that meant wrestling with them and lifting them into the air, cuddling on the patio chairs and stargazing, or teaching them all about art, pottery, and sculpting. In 1971, the Glass family settled down in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Later in life, Bill was thrilled to become a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. At the age of 87, he discovered his birth mother and he was so happy to learn of three living half-siblings, who accepted him with open arms. Bill considered himself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

He began his work as a sculptor and college art instructor at Villa Madonna College in Covington, Kentucky, right after his time at Notre Dame. Bill taught sculpture, painting, and drawing, and he also did commissioned work on the side. In 1959, he took a position as a designer and artist with Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company eventually relocated, and Bill followed, moving to Starkville, Mississippi. When Rookwood was sold, he returned to teach at Mississippi State University and at Mississippi State College for Women. Bill continued pursuing his passion of art. He patented a product design but he was an entrepreneur at heart, and he spent many years exploring the world of marketing and business.

Never one to sit still for long, Bill pursued many hobbies to stay busy in his free time. After learning to box in the Navy, he fought in the Golden Gloves in Kalamazoo and in the light heavyweight division in the Notre Dame Bengal Bouts for four years. Bill and Rose retired to Las Vegas in 2003, and Bill was very active in their community. He enjoyed playing on the tennis and pickleball courts, and he was involved in the ceramics club as well. Bill was known for his sense of humor, his jokes, and his lifelong love for art.

When reflecting on the life of William Glass, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He was a shining example of honesty and integrity. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bill was a friend to many and beloved by all. Though he will be dearly missed, Bill leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps. As he would like to believe that, like the Fisherman’s Prayer says, He would like to be judged big enough to keep.

Age 93, William Glass died on October 16, 2024. Bill was born December 17, 1930, in Ann Arbor and adopted by William and Josephine (Broadbeck) Glass. Surviving is his wife, Rose Mary Glass; children: Christopher (Sheryl Loux) Michael, Billie Jo (Lowell) Glass-Graves, Andrea Rose Glass, and Amy (Ken) Atwater; half-brother: Gerald (Denise) Robichaud; half-sisters: Michaeleen (Bill) Ward, and Mary Anne (Jim) Clement; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, four step grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 22, at 11AM at St. Thomas More Parish, 421 Monroe St, Kalamazoo. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Celebrate Bill’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to YWCA. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.

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