William George Lindley

William "Bill" G. Lindley passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich., after a brief illness. Bill was born on Feb. 2, 1952, in Benton Harbor, he was the only son of William D. Lindley and Goldie V. (Meachum) Lindley. Bill spent most of his childhood playing in the neighborhoods of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph area; one of his favorite childhood memories were the times he spent with his Grandmother Malinda. He would call her up at all hours of the day and night and she would stop what she was doing and make him a giant plate of fried potatoes and homemade mac and cheese. Once he was older, Bill spent lots of time at the House of David where his mother was a housekeeper and at Ramona Skating Rink in Sister Lakes, Mich. After graduating from high school Bill proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army. He would often joke about how the government sent him to Germany to “Drink good beer and learn how to blow things up".

Once Bill returned from the military, he decided it was time to settle down and it was then that he married his first wife, Janice I. (Rextrew) Lindley, on Nov. 11, 1972. In September of 1975 they welcomed their first daughter, Dawn, and three years later, their second daughter, Heidi. Bill and Janice were married for 27 years and enjoyed many ups and downs throughout their marriage. After their divorce Bill met and married his second wife, Bonnie (Fisher) Lindley, on March 6, 2006, and stayed married until her death.

Bill’s greatest joy was spending time outside in the woods or as he liked to call it “God’s Front Porch.” He spent his early years fishing out on all the area lakes in his canoe and eventually became an avid hunter. He loved Whitetail Deer hunting the most, and spent years perfecting his hunting skills, learning how to shoot with both guns and bows. In his spare time, he would travel all over the country to deer and deer hunting shows to learn about the latest techniques, deer calls and hunting supplies. Every year he would say “This is the year I’m going to get the big one.” Bill also loved taking photos and videos of the wildlife in his back yard and woods; he would spend hours just sitting in a tree stand or blind just watching the wildlife and admiring what God had created.

Bill is survived by his two daughters: Dawn (Bruce) Haney and Heidi (Arturo) Benavides; three grandchildren: Gavin, Alesandra and Reid; and his former wife, Janice (Rextrew) Lindley. He is also survived by three stepchildren: Becky (Joe) Deckard, Carrie (Jim) Roberts and Gary (Gina) Fisher and several step-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: William and Goldie Lindley; his sister, Margaret Dixon; niece, Keri Dixon; and his wife, Bonnie (Fisher) Lindley.

Services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Hartford General Baptist Church, with Pastor Steven Bisbee officiating. Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. before the funeral ceremony. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

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