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Service Information
 William "Bill" Meade
Visitation: Friday, February 13, from 5 to 7 PM at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49508, where the Rosary will be recited at 7 PM.  Saturday, February 14, prior to the service at the church, from 10 - 10:45 AM.
Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 14, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506
Memorials: IHM Adoration fund (select "adoration" from the drop-down menu): https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/ihm  or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 303 St. Mary St., Lake Leelanau, MI 49653  https://stmaryparishll.org/waystogive-2/

William (Bill) James Meade, born March 14, 1936, went to be with his Lord on Friday, January 16, 2026.

A dedicated educator, Bill worked as a teacher and counselor for Grand Rapids Public Schools and City Middle/High School. He positively impacted countless students in his 35-year career.

He loved to sing and graced the Immaculate Heart of Mary Choir, the Calvin Oratorio Society, and the Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir with his soaring tenor voice.

Always seeking a laugh from others, he was the king of bestowing nicknames, and creating off-the-wall jingles to solicit smiles. He delighted in family gatherings and was the chief hamburger-maker for the “Meade Beach Days” on Lake Michigan.  In his retirement, he enjoyed his annual golf outings with his brothers, and weekly golf outings with his brother, Mike, here in Michigan.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 62 years (4/4/64) Marcia Lee (Bunek) Meade; and his children, William H. (Rita), Martha (Chuck) Hayden, and Patricia (Michael) Reid; his grandchildren, William J. (Amy), Joshua, and Steven Meade; Charlotte and Noah Hayden; Katherine, Elizabeth, and Julia Reid; and great-grandson, Coal Voss.

Also surviving are his siblings, Margaret (Bruce) Turnbull, J. Michael (Margaret) Meade, Genevieve (Steve) Borbas, Francis (Kathleen) Meade, and Andrew Meade; surviving in-laws, Margaret Bunek, Mary Bunek, Emelia (Jack) Welber, Elmer Bunek, William (Carol) Bunek, Julius (Cheryl) Bunek, and Theresa Bunek.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William H. and Julia Meade; his siblings, Mary Lou Meade, Colleen (James) McMahon; and in-laws, Marsha Meade, Emil and Martha Bunek, John Bunek, Glory (Larry) Leonard, Emil Bunek Jr., Sue Bunek, James Bunek, and Robert Bunek.

Bill was greatly loved by his 43 nieces and nephews and many more great-nieces and great-nephews.

​The family welcomes visitors on Friday, February 13, from 5 to 7 PM at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49508, where the Rosary will be recited at 7 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506, on Saturday, February 14, at 11 AM with a visitation prior from 10 - 10:45 AM.  Fr. Len Sudlik and Fr. Troy Nevins will preside.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's memory to the IHM Adoration fund (select "adoration" from the drop-down menu): https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/ihm or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 303 St. Mary St., Lake Leelanau, MI 49653, https://stmaryparishll.org/waystogive-2/

 
STROO FUNERAL HOME
1095 68TH ST SE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508 

Comments

Mary Quiroz
2 months ago
Dear Marcia,
You and Bill welcomed us into your home back in 1978 when we were just new at IHM. We never forgot the prayer group or the kindness you showed us. May God bless your family with peace and love as you adjust to life without Bill’s physical presence.
Our family still enjoys your recipe for angel food cake with the fluffy pudding frosting! XOX
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Kathi Mels
2 months ago
He sounds like an amazing person. So very sorry for your loss. He leaves an outstanding legacy. Sending prayers for healing!
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Mary and TJ Ackert
2 months ago
As a leading couple in the parish, you had a profoundly positive impact on us when we attended a marriage retreat many years ago at IHM. Thank you for that! We know Bill will be greatly missed. Blessings to you and your family.
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Mary Passinault
3 months ago
Marcia, It was always a joy when I would encounter you and Bill and your children at IHM in the past years. You were a very special couple who always made others feel your warmth and friendship. May you now feel peace and acceptance in giving Bill back to God.
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Rob Leonard
3 months ago
I have the fondest memories of Uncle Bill, going back some 50 years. He was always welcoming, kind, funny, and generous. A truly wonderful human being he was.
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Chrystal Abhalter
3 months ago
Dear Marcia and Meade family,
Thank you for being such dear neighbors during our years in Grand Rapids. Please accept our condolences and know that Bill is in our prayers.
With love,
Chrystal and Bob Abhalter
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Mark and Debby Smith
3 months ago
Bill and Rita and family,
May you feel God’s presence as he wraps His living arms around you and welcomes your Dad into His heavenly home.
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Mark and Debby Smith
3 months ago
Bill, Rita and Family.
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. May God’s loving arms wrap around you and give you comfort as He welcomes your dad into his heavenly home.
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The Shannon Family
3 months ago
Trish and family,

We were saddened to hear of your father/grandfather's passing. Such a great guy! We're thinking of you at this difficult time.
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David Padula
3 months ago
As your immediate neighbor for over 40+ years our entire family grew close to your Dad. His wit and sense of humour will be missed. He was always a decent and caring human. All of you have our deepest sympathy.
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Sept22websiteStroo Funeral Home began operating in 1972 when John K. Stroo and his wife, Elaine, along with their young family moved to Cutlerville. With the experience that came from working in two Grand Rapids area funeral homes, John and Elaine desired a business of their own where they could provide personalized, compassionate service within a small town atmosphere.

Cutlerville provided the perfect place for this. The community did not have a funeral home, and its small town atmosphere appealed to the Stroo’s as a great place to raise their children and to become personally involved in the life of the church, school, and community.

Through the years the community has grown and expanded considerably. With that growth the funeral home continued to grow also, and additional facility space became necessary. In 1986, the chapel was enlarged and the entire facility was redecorated. In 1998, the Stroo family moved from their funeral home residence to a condominium. Shortly after that move the residence was converted into additional funeral home space and a large addition was made.

Along with the need for additional facility space, there was the need for additional staff members to serve the families who called upon Stroo Funeral Home. Mike Vos joined John as his first full time licensed funeral director in 1993, followed in 1999 by Laurie Beute as the first full time office administrator. Licensed funeral director Ken Speyer was added to the full time staff in 2000, followed by John and Elaine’s son, Bob Stroo, also a licensed funeral director, in 2002. Following years of steady growth, Amy Middendorf joined the staff as a prearrangement counselor in 2014. The funeral home is blessed to have a part-time support staff made up of several dedicated individuals who help out on a regular basis.

2018 brought an exciting change to Stroo Funeral Home. After 45 years of owning and managing the funeral home, John Stroo decided to take a lesser role and sold his portion of the business to Bob Stroo and Mike Vos, who now assume shared responsibility as the two co-owners of Stroo Funeral Home. They, along with all of the dedicated staff members, are committed to caring for the needs of each family they are privileged to serve with personalized, compassionate service.

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Founded in 1972 by John K. and Elaine Stroo, Stroo Funeral Home, Inc. has established a reputation for providing personalized, compassionate service offered at a reasonable price, a reputation that Bob Stroo and Mike Vos strive to maintain.

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