William Allen Williamsen

William Allen Williamsen of Grand Rapids, Ohio passed away March 12, 2026 at age 77. Born on July 24, 1948 in Toledo, Ohio to Anabel (Kopp) and William Allen Williamsen. He grew up in Maumee, Ohio, graduating from Maumee High School in 1966 and then attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Thereafter, he began his career as an insurance adjuster for Crawford & Company in Toledo and Sandusky. He managed the Toledo Claim Office from 1981 to 1991. He served as President of the Toledo Claims Association 1987-88. Bill joined German Mutual in Napoleon as an adjuster in 1991 specializing in property claims. He was well regarded as being prompt, well organized, prepared, precise in his application of policy terms and conditions, and reasonable in resolving disputed claims. Bill retired in 2011. He spent the last 15 years consulting on litigation insurance claims throughout Ohio for Munger Company, L.P.A. of Toledo.

Bill enjoyed being outdoors. He loved the Maumee River, watching its change of seasons and spending time on its banks with family and friends. Every spring he would walk the riverside's newly plowed furrows of corn fields searching for upturned arrowheads and other flint tools. His collector's motto was "Always Found, Never Bought". He was an ardent reader with remarkable memory and specialized interests in Ohio, Maumee Valley and Great Lakes history, especially ship wrecks and native Indian migration. He loved the music of traditional blues and blue grass artists and frequently recited from memory the full lyrics of many Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan tunes. His wide range of knowledge made him a master of crossword puzzles and an unbeatable opponent in most games of trivia. He also enjoyed visiting local taverns and shooting pool. He was exceptionally proud of his daughters' and grandchildrens' intellect and accomplishments.

Bill was predeceased by his father, William Allen Williamsen I, and his beloved aunt, who he spent considerable and memorable time with as a teenager in the Wisconsin Dells, Janice Williamsen Cary. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Susan T. (Maples) Williamsen, his mother Anabel Kopp Williamsen Stubbs of Bowling Green, Ohio (age 98), sister Patricia N. Williamsen and brother-in-law, Edward Foley of Westerville, Ohio, daughter Amanda Williamsen a writer of Bainbridge Island, Washington, son-in-law Brad Urban, and grandchildren Nolan and Cordelia, as well as by daughter Elizabeth Williamsen, an English Literature professor at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota.

Private family only graveside service is at Riverside Cemetery in Maumee, Ohio March 23, 2026. A Celebration of Life for Bill, his family and friends will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from noon to 4:00 at Thompson Hall, Otsego Shelter House. BYOB.