William R. Grant, of Cassopolis

Published 9:06 am Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Sept. 1, 1941 — Feb. 22, 2019

William Robert “Bill” Grant, 77, of Cassopolis, left this earth Friday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2019, surrounded by family and friends at home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1941, in Overlea, Maryland, the second of seven children of Lyle and Wilma Grant.

Bill served honorably with the Army’s 1st Airborne Battle Group from 1959 to 1965 leaving with the rank of E4. He worked in various jobs in his younger years, including sales at Radio Shack, in-home sales for Fuller Brush, a material control analyst at Westinghouse, a truck driver for Food Fair, a truck driver for Atlantic Cement, an independent truck driver pulling house trailers, a collection agent for a national debt collection agency as well as writing computer software programs.

Bill found his true passion in 1971 as an entrepreneur. He owned and operated Metropolitan Foam Insulation in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as B. Grant Construction for many years, and, most recently, Bills Roof Repair, Inc. in Cassopolis. Bill had a driving passion to provide the best in quality workmanship and efficiency. Bill’s ethic of hard work and dedication has established a superior working relationship with many in the area.

Bill was an active member of Word of Life Family Worship Center in Cassopolis. As a result of his generous spirit, Bill has been a blessing to many! His influence will forever remain in the lives of those who truly knew him.

Bill will be greatly missed by family and friends. He leaves behind his wife, Dawn (Cooper) Grant, of Cassopolis, three daughters, AnnaMary Grant, of Greenough, Montana, Brigette (Bill) Paffenback, of Reisterstown, Maryland, Autumn (Denton) Gillam, of Cassopolis; three sons, William “Bobby” (Louise) Grant Jr., of Wake Forrest, North Carolina, Brian (Laura) Grant, of Freeland, Maryland, David Karfgin, of Locust Grove, Virginia; 13 grandchildren, Robby (Nicky) Smith, of Greenough, Montana, Alex Smith, of Littlestown, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey (Kat) Smith and Jessica (Drew) Lebrun, of Towson, Maryland, Becki (Brandon) Grant, of Wake Forrest, North Carolina, Jacob Karfgin and JuliAnn Karfgin, of Locust Grove, Virginia, KaraLisa (Amos) Estes and Rachel Grant, of Hereford, Maryland, Sophia Paffenback, of Reiserstown, Maryland, Zane Perrin, Zakiryah Burdick and Zyon Gillam, of Cassopolis, a host of great-grandchildren; three sisters, Cindy (Bob) Vingara and Irene Grant, both of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Ronee (Kenny Alexander) Cooper, of Niles, six brothers, Michael Grant, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Dale Grant, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, James (Ashley) Cooper, of Mead, Washington, Eric (Toni) Cooper and Brian (Karmen Damp) Cooper, of Cassopolis, Shannan (Maria) Cooper, of Dowagiac, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members who have cherished memories of him to love and share.

Bill had individuals that were just as close to being his biological family and were a significant part of his life: Mark Jones, Luis Moreno, Justin Cheetham, Andy Talbot and Glen Howard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Wilma Grant; his first wife, Anna Morrison Grant; two brothers, Wade Grant, Gene Grant; and one nephew, Johnny Haines.

Family and friends will gather from 3 p.m. until time of service at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway St., Cassopolis, with Pastors Mark Jones and Ron Cooper officiating. The service will conclude with full Military Honors provided by active members of the U.S. Army and the Honor Guard of the Lt. William E. Lozier V.F.W. Post 10704 in Cassopolis.

The family prefers memorial contributions in Bill’s memory be made to Word of Life Family Worship Center, 408 E. Harding St., Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.