Bill Coats, Sr.

Bill Coats Sr., age 76, of Fruitport, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at home. He was born on September 29, 1948, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to the late Jeff and Georgia (Clifton) Coats. Bill married Sandra Kay Smith on June 6, 1992, in Muskegon, MI.

Bill graduated from high school and went on to proudly serve his country in the US Army as a soldier in Vietnam. He worked as Transportation Supervisor for Wesco for 38 years until his retirement.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He also loved tinkering around in his garage and shopping.

Bill will be forever remembered and missed by his wife of 32 years, Sandra; his son, Bill "Bucky" Coats, Jr.; and daughter, Ginger Johnson; six grandchildren: Hunter Coats (Lyndsay Larkin), Austin, Alex, and Bryonna Coats, Nicole (John) Dorman, and Willie Gould; two great-grandchildren, Raquel Kauranen and Calista Coats; and his extended family: Cyndi, Deven, and Christian Bennett, and Paulette, Trisha, Manuel, Kyla, and Kennedy Lawson.

He is also survived by Sandra's children: Ronda Tuthill, Rachelle (Chuck) Osborn, and Art (Michelle) Balzer; Sandra's grandchildren: Zach Balzer and Brandi (Logan) Waller, Shelby Tuthill, Johanna (Camden) Smith and Olivette Balzer (Ethan Fillmore); and Sandra's great-grandchildren, Nova and Ozzlo Waller and Brody Fillmore.

He was preceded in death by his son, Louie Coats; granddaughter, Erica Gould; and Sandra's son, Chadwick Balzer.

The Funeral Service for Bill will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Fillmore officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

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