William A. Courter

1968 - 2014

Courter, William A. “Billy”; age 46; of Alma; died Monday, July 21, 2014, in a farming accident. Billy was born April 25, 1968, in Alma, MI, the son of Bill and Louise Courter. He graduated from Alma High School in 1986, and attended Michigan State University. Billy married his loving wife Jennifer (Fenton) Courter on August 20, 1994. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 2 to 8 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Shepherd, MI. A prayer service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, July 25, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent DePaul with Father Fred Kawka officiating. Graveside service will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis, MI. A luncheon will be held at St. Vincent DePaul Parrish Hall following committal. Billy spent his entire life in Forest Hill, where he worked with passion at the family dairy farm operation, which transitioned into a large beef operation in 2003. He worked diligently with his parents, his wife and their four children to expand their business into one of the largest cattle operations in Michigan. He was a passionate 4-H leader and volunteer for the Gratiot County Fair for Youth. The fair played an important role in his family’s life. He loved helping 4-H participants and constructing the new fair feeder and horse barns. When Billy had a vision, he followed it through with hard work and dedication. Billy also enjoyed spending time at the cottage on Crystal Lake. He loved to ride jet skis, pull tubes, ride bikes around the lake, drive around in his lifted golf cart, go to the ice cream shop with all the kids, make s’mores and watch the sunset when the day ended. Billy was a hard-worker, teacher, listener, and in Jeorge’s words, a “tough guy”. He didn’t mind getting his hands dirty and gave it all he had. He never saw a job too hard or an idea too crazy. He loved his family, friends, and his job. His life ended tragically on the ground on which he worked day and night. Billy was dedicated to his faith and a member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. Billy is survived by his wife of 19 years, Jennifer; his children Jami, Johnathan, Jessica, and Jeorge; his mother Louise Courter of Alma; his sisters: Kelly (Kevin) Bebow of St. Louis, MI, Kay (Mike) Behm of Grand Blanc, MI, Krista (Merrick) Hatcher of Chicago, IL, and Marcy (Tim) Grant of Bloomington, IN; his in-laws, John and Sharon Fenton of St. Louis, MI, and Julie (Rick) Sayles of Lainsburg, MI; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and his farming partner, Brad Dickman. Billy was preceded in death by his father, Bill Courter; his grandparents, Glen and Ruth Courter and George and Bertha Davidson; and his nephew, Joshua Bebow. In lieu of flowers, the family has created a memorial scholarship fund for the benefit of graduating seniors pursuing an agricultural education. Billy Courter Memorial Scholarship Fund donations may be sent to 4430 West Jefferson Road Alma, MI, 48801.