William Sharp

William Bentges "Bill" Sharp

William Bentges "Bill" Sharp, peacefully passed away at Eaton Community Palliative Care on April 6, 2016, at the age of 88.  Bill was born on February 11, 1928, in Lansing, Michigan, son of Beatrice (Bentges) and Russell Sharp.

Bill grew up in Lansing and graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1945.  He attended Michigan State University and then joined the East Lansing Police Department (1950-1962). He went on to work for Farm Bureau Insurance Company (1962-1965) and Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company (1965-1994) retiring as the manager of the Lansing Mutual Agency in 1994.

Bill was very active in his community and at Michigan State University.  He served on the East Lansing School Board from 1968-1980, and the East Lansing City Council from 1993-2007.  He was a long time member of the East Lansing Kiwanis Club serving as its president in 1980-1981.  He was a member and past president of the Greater Lansing Safety Council and longtime member of Lansing American Legion Post 12. Bill was a past member of the MSU Rebounders Club, the MSU Downtown Coaches Club, and was a current member and past president of the MSU Blue Line Club. Bill was a member of the MSU Hockey Off-Ice Officials for 32 years serving as a goal judge and later working in the opposing team's penalty box. Bill also belonged to the Higgins Lake Property Owners Association, served on the board of The Michigan Waterfront Alliance and served on the Advisory Community at Independence Village of East Lansing. For 25 years, Arlene and Bill delivered Meals on Wheels, and on Christmas mornings you would find them at Volunteers of America where Bill was the chairman of the group that made and put together Christmas meals for shut ins, which is a tradition the Sharp kids and their families continue today.

Bill was awarded the Crystal Award from the City of East Lansing in 1990 and the Edward R. Vandervoort Memorial Award from the MSU downtown Coaches Club in 1990.

 Bill was the happiest spending time with his family. For 12 plus years he never missed an East Lansing High School football or basketball game, often carting a car load of kids to away games. After his kids graduated Bill became the official videographer for the ELHS football team. His happiest times were the times he spent at the family cottage at Higgins Lake and on his boat "On a Call" with his first mate, Arlene, navigating the North Channel. He loved anything Spartan and watching Tiger Baseball. He also loved to bake and was well known for his molasses cookies and lemon bread.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Lee Dickinson and son, Daniel P. Sharp. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Arlene (Gillison) Sharp, daughter Melinda Dickinson of Lansing, son Brad (Lou) of Williamston and daughter-in-law, Shannon Sharp of Eaton Rapids, Granddaughter Faith Sharp of Eaton Rapids and Grandsons, Thomas (Holly) Berriman of Allegan, Brian (Meghan) Sharp of Williamston, Kevin (Addie) Sharp of Chicago, IL, Lt. Tyler Sharp, USN of Slidell, LA, and Brendan Sharp of Eaton Rapids.  Also surviving are great granddaughters Olivia Sharp and Avia Berriman, great grandsons, Benton Sharp and Baby Boy Berriman (due in May). Bill is also survived by his "little bro" Capt. David R. Sharp USN (RET) of Hampton, Virginia, nieces Sandy (Jim) Grecco of Norfolk, VA, Kristin (Jim) Byerly of Virginia Beach, VA, Peggy (Scott) Snider of New Paris, IN, Irene (Matt) Newcomer of Goshen, IN, nephew Jeff (Alli) Sharp of Virginia Beach, VA and "special" cousins Duane (Judy) Vernon of Lansing, Patricia (Finch) Porterfield of St. Petersburg, Florida and numerous great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

A Spartan to the end and a true Spartan for Life, Bill is a Willed Body Donor to Michigan State University College of Medicine. GO GREEN, GO WHITE!!

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Bill's life at Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI. on Saturday, April 23 at noon. The family will receive friends at the church two hours prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte for the care and compassion they showed Bill as he phased into the final stages of his life, the East Lansing Fire Department for the kindness shown to Bill and Arlene during this difficult time, the staff and residents of Independence Village in East Lansing for their kindness and caring in helping Arlene through this difficult time and the numerous friends who have called, sent cards and visited.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Bill's name to:

Eaton Community Palliative Care

2675 S. Cochran Ave.

Charlotte, MI 48813