Willy (Will/Bill) Robert Kosachuk passed away suddenly at the age of 67 on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in a vehicle accident near Colon, MI.
Will was born in Rhede, West Germany on April 12, 1956, to Anton and Helen Kosachuk, a WWII refugee family. He emmigrated to St. Joseph, MI at eleven months old, along with his parents and four older siblings where they made a new life in America.
He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1975. Received an associate degree in business from Lake Michigan College and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from North American Baptist College (Taylor University).
He married Marcey Melrose of Coloma, MI in 1986 at the Napier Parkview Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, MI where they were members.
Will was an ordinary man but made a deep impression on most people he met. He was incredibly smart, ingenious, and hardworking, going from the family business (Peerless Canvas Products) to start his own (Heritage Canvas Covers) in 1999. An expert craftsman he gained an impeccable reputation with his loyal customers and was still climbing on boats “like a monkey” the week of his passing. Will loved early cool mornings. He loved music, playing his guitar and singing with family and friends. Driving several hours didn’t stop him from participating in several choirs. He also had a great passion for the Bible, reading and memorizing large passages. These two loves came together in setting hundreds of verses to melody. Will freely shared his love for God and answers to prayers with others, and always offered to pray with them. He never knew a stranger. He was generous and often ready to help anyone at the drop of a hat. Will had an incredible sense of humor and a contagious laugh if you were fortunate enough to hear it. He enjoyed joining in his children’s projects and adventures such as mountain biking, skiing, camping, even historical reenacting, and a family history trip to Europe. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. Through the years, he was an active member of The Reformed Baptist Church of Holland and was presently a member of the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids. Most of all, Will was devoted to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and grew to trust in God’s love for him more over the years. Covid nearly took his life in 2021 and he considered every day thereafter as borrowed time. It seemed Will still had so much life to live but this was his time. He will be greatly missed but we will see him again.
Will was preceded in death by his father, Anton Kosachuk; sister, Anna Brauchler; mother, Helen (Bettig) Kosachuk; and brother, Paul Kosachuk. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Marcey (Melrose) Kosachuk; nine children: Gabriel Kosachuk, Abigail (Stephen) Van Dyk, Luke (Racheal) Kosachuk, Ethan (Katherine) Kosachuk, Andrew Kosachuk, Grace Kosachuk, Josiah Kosachuk, Obadiah Kosachuk, Isaac Kosachuk; grandchildren: Josephine, Robert and David; sisters: Helga Wolf, Mary (Steven) Arnold, Sandra (John) Babbel; uncles: Paul Bettig, Eric (Linda) Bettig, Henry (Connie) Bettig, Peter (Carole) Bettig; aunt: Maria Schultz; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who were impacted by his life.
The family will greet friends on Friday, April 21, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. A funeral service will be held at Kalamazoo Reformed Church, 5300 Comstock Avenue, Kalamazoo, on Saturday, April 22, at 11:00 AM Dr. Martin Kuivenhoven officiating. Following the service will be a luncheon at the church with a testimony time. There will be a graveside service, Monday, April 24 at 11:00 AM at Batavia Township Cemetery in Coldwater, Michigan.
Donations in memory of Will may be made to COAH (Come Over and Help/Ukraine), MAF (Jason and Hannah Fintelman), or Transworld Radio.
Please share memories of Will with his family at www.langelands.com
Services
VISITATION
Friday
April 21, 2023
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Langeland Family Funeral Home Burial & Cremation Services
3926 S 9th St
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
FUNERAL SERVICE IN CHAPEL
Saturday
April 22, 2023
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Kalamazoo Reformed Church (Kalamazoo)
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Monday
April 24, 2023
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Batavia Township Cemetery
North Batavia Rd
Coldwater, MI 49036
Posted On: Thursday, April 20, 2023 8:52 AM
