Wilfred E. “Bill” Archer
QUINCY HILL – Wilfred E. “Bill” Archer, 90, a resident of Quincy Hill, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at home.
He was born January 30, 1926, to the late Glen E. and Genevieve (Servous) Archer and was raised in Muskegon.
Wilfred dropped out of Muskegon High School to enlist in the war effort and from there went on to begin his journey with the United States Military.
As a veteran, he served on the Great Lakes with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army Air Corp and retired as a Technical Sargent from the U.S. Air Force in 1964.
He served on amphibious landing craft in the pacific theater in WWII and flew Air-Sea Rescue missions during the Korean conflict. He returned to the service, joining the Air Force Reserves in 1969 and flew C-124s into Vietnam.
Wilfred had also been employed as an aircraft mechanic, an aircraftmaintenance inspector and drove trucks hauling house trailers.
Bill was united in marriage to the former Betty Eachus. He then was united in marriage to the former Eloda Nichols and she preceded him in death in 2012.
After retirement from the service, Bill resided in Harker Heights, Texas, Layton, Utah and Waco Texas. In 1978, he moved to White Cloud and since 2009, has made his home on Quincy Hill.
Mr. Archer is a life member of VFW Post No.2053 of White Cloud, where he had served as a Past Commander. He also is a member of VFW post No. 6507 of Chassell, the Air Force Memorial Association and the Air Force Association. He also was a founding member of the Air Force Sergeants Association.
Besides his parents and his wife, Eloda; he was preceded in death by his sisters, Ruth, Betty, Geraldine and Dolores; and his step-son, Eddie (Jeanette) Amos.
Surviving are his children, Glen (Ruth) Archer of Hancock, Cheryl Lawhorn of Cloverdale, California, Kim (Dale) Platz of Newaygo, Linda Heffron, Wanda (Randy) Plough, Monica (Duane) Gradisher of White Cloud; his former wife, Betty J. Archer of Houghton; his grandchildren, William (Hailey) Archer, Nathan (Taryn Sweeny) Archer, Ruth Archer, Geneva Archer, Nikki (Kyle) Morey, John Cody Tuttle, Daun (Charlie) Stratten, Dee Dee Drent, Stacey (Anthony) Schuberg, Jodie (Brian) Colby, Jason (Nikki) Plough, Justin (Tabitha) Plough, Jeremy Gradisher, Jessica (Mike) Kolenda, Jasmine Amos; his numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service for Wilfred will he held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church with Rev. DJ Rasner to officiate. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at 3 p.m. until the time of services at the church.
To view Bill’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.