John Will

I learned of John's passing from my niece, Sara Kole, whom was fond of John. I was introduced to him years ago when we would both visit Betty and Jack Kole at Lake Michigan There was no fonder fan of Michigan State University than John!!! He must be rejoicing that MSU is # 2 in basketball!!!

Dear Jim, Lorna, Twoey, Leslie and James,
We were sorry to hear about John. God's blessings to you all.
Bill & Marilyn

I was saddened to hear about John's death. I first met John in 1991 while banding peregrine falcon chicks at a steel mill in Gary, Indiana. The parents of those babies were Doc and SuzyQ, a brother/sister pair that had been released in Grand Rapids. John was instrumental in having peregrines released in his adopted home and he was a proud "grandpa" that day. Even in his last year of life, he was a staunch supporter of the Midwest peregrine restoration effort and personally involved in...

To John's family,
I am sorry for your loss. John was a friend of my dad's since the early 1970s when they met through the Sierra Club. He became a personal friend to each member of our family, and often joined our family events. I admired John's dedication to all things environmental, and I feel grateful for his contributions locally and nationally. He was intelligent, thoughtful and generous. My dad, Bill Peterson, passed away one month before John. We will miss John's presence in our...

We will miss you Uncle John.

I don't think I can come close to Debra's wonderful memories below, wow. I'm glad John was there to share my son's return from Iraq, and happy that we were able to get together at family reunions and at Jim and Lorna's house. John and I found we had shared politics and a love of nature and especially, birds. We knew John was in poor health last summer, and I'm so grateful that my husband and I planned a vacation so that we could spend an afternoon with John and have dinner with him. Debra...

I am so sorry to hear that Mr Will passed away May you find comfort in the words of family, friends and the "God of All Comfort" through this difficult time 2Cor1:3

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to John's family and all who knew and loved him. We are not local to Grand Rapids, though my husband, Jason Hoeksema, is from there and knows John first, from a young age, as an important birding mentor, and now as a life-long friend. Through Jason, John became my friend too. We kept in touch by email and the phone. Our exchanges were always rich and meaningful because that's how John was. He holds a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of many for...

Miss you Uncle John. Always enjoyed your visits to Wisconsin