William Kingsnorth

William James "Jim" Kingsnorth

Battle Creek

William James "Jim"  Kingsnorth, age 82, died Thursday, July 3, 2014, at his residence. Jim was born March 16, 1932, in Battle Creek at the old Nichols Hospital. The son of William and Genevieve (Alleshouse) Kingsnorth. He was raised in Battle Creek, attending Post Schools, Wattle Park School, Francisco School(A one room School in Ceresco), South Eastern and Battle Creek Central Class of 1950. One of his great experiences was his 1950 Triumph Motorcycle trip with his friend in 1950 to California, of course, on Route 66, after he entered the service. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on January 17, 1952, serving in Germany, during the German Occupation, France, French Morocco, North Africa. Jim reached the rank of Airman 1st receiving Good Conduct, National Defense and German Occupation Medals. He was honorably discharged from Ellington AFB in Texas in 1956. Upon returning to Battle Creek in 1956, he returned to work at the Grand Trunk Railroad (started work there in 1950) becoming a Conductor. Jim spent fourteen years of his forty years at GTWRR working in Port Huron as a Passenger Train Conductor, traveling between Port Huron and Chicago. He retired in 1993. Jim's marriage to Jean McCullough and Nancy Linden ended in divorce.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Ann, who he married in 1992. His son, William J. (Trisha) of Ypsilanti, twin daughters, Amy (Tim) Kraemer and Julie Beckstrom, both of Florida, and daughter, Tiffany Younker; a step-son, Randy Hurt; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Lyle Inks, who lost his life as a fighter pilot of a P51 during WWII, his daughter, Lydia England, who died in 1992, his sister, Helen L. Green and his step-son, Trevor Younker, who died in 2013 and his step-son, Doug Hurt who died in 2009.

He will also be remembered for his love of boating, after his enlistment was completed, he started with an 18' wood Chis-Craft inboard, moving up to a 28' Harris Float Boat the he used on Goguac Lake and Gun Lake, then to a 37' Egg Harbour, which burned and sank in Lake Michigan in 1985. His final boating experience was a 36' Carver/Aft cabin which he kept in Grand Haven. In 1997/1998 Jim traded in his water-wings to pilot a "land yacht" a 21' Pleasureway Van Camper. Making a 2nd home in Ft. Myers Beach, FL, traveling back and forth for several years. He enjoyed life and treasured his family and friends.  His furry family, Buffy, Chloe and Bindi will be very lonesome without their "Dad"!

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veteran's or the Humane Society of South Central MI. www.henryfuneralhome.org