Obituary; William ‘Bill’ Lovell, 96, Pentwater

William Lovell

Obituary; William ‘Bill’ Lovell, 96, Pentwater

William “Bill” Reuben Lovell, 96, of Pentwater, passed away on June 26, 2019.  

Bill was born on September 23, 1922 on Second Street in Pentwater, the son of Reuben and Eleanor (Petersen) Lovell. He graduated from Creston High School, class of 1941.  From 1942-1946, Bill was active in the United States Army, where he was stationed in New Guinea and southern Philippines. He served as MP (military police) in the 31st Infantry Division.   

Bill was wed to Kathryn Cutler on September 20, 1947 and raised seven children.  Bill was an engineer on the C & O Railroad, working out of Ludington and Grand Rapids, for 33 years.  He was very involved with his church homes, Centenary United Methodist Church of Pentwater and First Baptist Church of Pentwater.  He also volunteered at Pentwater Friendship Center, driving people to dialysis and enjoyed playing Bingo. He was always happy and loved telling jokes.  Bill was a skilled home builder, practicing his talents many times as his family grew. He loved sailing. He was an active member of the Pentwater Yacht Club and enjoyed racing lightning sailboats.

Bill and his wife spent winters in Florida and summers in Pentwater where he would ride around in his beloved golf cart…with snow tires!  He loved his family and friends and lived his life by his favorite moto: Life is Good.

Bill is survived by his seven children, William (Linda) Lovell, Roberta Belote, Daniel (Sandy) Lovell, Joan (Wayne) Schlee, Thomas (Shirley) Lovell, Patricia (Bruce) Holcomb, and Nancy (MaryJo) Lovell-Jobbins; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by is wife, Kathryn Lovell, who passed onto Glory in June 2010; his parents, Reuben and Eleanor (Petersen) Lovell; sister, Ina E. Lovell; brother, Paul A. Lovell; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Neidow Lovell and Helen Rockwell Lovell; sons-in-law, Frank Belote and Mathew Gilland; and great granddaughter, Ashland Gilland.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Pentwater, with visitation starting at 10 a.m.  Bill will be buried next to his wife at Hart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Pentwater Memorial Fund or The Crystal Care Fund.

Please share your fond memories and photos of Bill at www.OakGroveLudington.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.