William DeGroot

William "Bill" DeGroot, 80 year-old resident of Rogers, Arkansas, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Born September 2, 1925, in Orange City, Iowa, he was the son of Leonard DeGroot and Jeanette Vegter DeGroot. Bill grew up in the Orange City area. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. In 1949 he graduated with a B.S. in Business, English and Education from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. Bill married Helen Putt in Fulton, Illinois, December 22, 1949. They lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Bill worked as an assistant manager for Occidental Life Insurance Company for 10 years. He also taught English and Business for 2 years in high school. Bill and Helen moved to Upland, California, in 1959 where he co-owned a dairy farm for 30 years. He was president of DeGroot Real Estate, Inc. for 28 years, and president of Clover Insurance Agency for 26 years. Bill and Helen moved from Upland to Rogers, Arkansas in 1998. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. While in California Mr. DeGroot served on the San Bernardino County Planning Commission for seven years and four years on the San Bernardino County Airport Commission. He was the president of the Ontario Christian School Board for nine years, served on the National Board of the Reformed Bible College, and acted as chairperson for the land and building committee of Calvary Christian Reformed Church. He was also a co-founder of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. He was preceded in death by two sons, James William DeGroot and Warren Dale "Bud" DeGroot; two brothers, John DeGroot and Clarence DeGroot; two sisters, Theresa "Trix" Kuiper and Clarina Van Gelder. Survivors include his wife Helen of the home; two sons, Kenneth DeGroot and wife Jeannette of Tulare, California; Dan DeGroot and wife Carolyn of Sunnyside, Washington; one daughter, Julie Ericson and husband Ed of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; three brothers, Rev. Harold DeGroot of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Harvey DeGroot of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Lee DeGroot of Orange City, Iowa; and one sister, Janice Mouw of Ontario, California. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 13, 2006, at Grace Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Rev. Aldon Kuiper and Rev. Dr. J. Russell Snapp officiating. Military graveside rites will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Visitation will be 3:00 to 5:00 Sunday, March 12, 2006, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Inland Christian Home, Bill DeGroot Memorial Fund, 1950 South Mountain Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Arrangements are under the direction of Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

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William DeGroot

September 2, 1925 - March 9, 2006