Alvin Williams Jr.

Alvin Williams Jr., 61, of Portage, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2009 at Plainwell Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a two and one half year struggle with cancer. Al was the son of Alvin Sr. and Marvean (Philpot) Williams who preceded him in death.

Al was born on November 11, 1947 and grew up in Kibbie with his parents, brother Rick and his Blue Tick hound – Blue Boy, who was a member of the family until Al was a junior in high school. Al attended Kibbie Country School through the fourth grade before busing came to the Kibbie area in 1958. After schooling at Lincoln and Central, Al graduated from L.C. Mohr High School in 1966. He received his electrical engineering degree from Western Michigan University in 1970 and worked for GTE/Verizon in South Haven, Three Rivers and Schoolcraft for almost 30 years retiring in 1999.

Al knew about illness, struggling and dealing with Chrones Disease since he was 12 years old. While seriously ill through his teen years, after several surgeries and on going medical treatment, in his adult life, no one meeting him would have suspected he was ill at all.

While Al loved bicycling, hiking, golf and the out-of-doors, his number one passion was tennis and meeting numerous folks who shared his love of the sport. Upon moving to Portage with GTE in the mid 1970’s he joined Centre Court and played tennis after work and on the weekends three and four times a week becoming a fine singles player placing high and winning tournaments at Centre Court and West Hills Tennis Clubs.

Later, as age and disease slowed his movements he was a sought after partner in doubles and mixed doubles, again, placing well in tournaments with friends and partners.

Al also enjoyed playing tennis regularly for decades with his life long friend Peter Tripp, also from Kibbie. Often they would include brother Rick and Mitch Ingraham in their tennis and golf matches.

Perhaps partially because of Chrones Disease, Al was a private person but also mild mannered and a gentleman. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was supportive and generous with his parents, brother, and friends all of his life. Al was a life long member of Kibbie Christian Reformed Church.

Al is survived by Peter and Karen Tripp, their daughters Erin and Hallie Tripp, Bill and Shelia Nichols, Susan Bray and Cathy Harris; Aunts Ruth Kirby, Clara Philpot, and Roberta Philpot; one Uncle Fred Philpot Jr. and many cousins; Nancy Polezoes, Margaret and Mitchell Ingraham, and Rick Williams.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 28 from 12 – 2:00 pm with the funeral service starting at 2:00 pm at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home with Pastor Gerrit Haagsma officiating. Burial will take place at Chambers Cemetery in South Haven. Kindly share your thoughts on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrantFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.