Bilby, Charles "Chuck" Richard
Went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 25, 2012, at the age of 90. Chuck was born Aug. 7, 1921, in Grand Rapids to John and Ethel (Ahlers) Bilby. He grew up in Grand Rapids, graduating from the city's Central High School in 1939. He attended Grand Rapids Junior College for two years before moving to California, where he worked in a Douglas Aircraft plant making A-20 light bombers. In 1944, Chuck enlisted in the Army Air Corp and flew P-38 and P-51 fighter missions over France and Germany through the end of the war in Europe. After the war, he returned to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan, where he met Janet Durant Zinser. Chuck graduated with an electrical engineering degree from UM in early 1949 and went to work for Consumers Power Co. in Grand Rapids. Later that summer, on Aug. 13, he married Jan at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. At Consumers Power, Chuck embarked on a series of relocations and ever larger assignments, including project manager of the Ludington Pumped Storage Facility on the shores of Lake Michigan. He was named vice president of power generation in 1974 and worked at the company for 37 years before retiring in 1986. While on assignment for Consumers Power in Traverse City, Chuck and Jan built a cottage on Long Lake, which has been enjoyed by their children and by many relatives and friends over the years. After retirement, he and Jan spent eight winters in a Del Webb community in Tucson, Arizona, before becoming residents of the Vista Grande Villa retirement community in Jackson in June 2003. Chuck was active in the Jackson Kiwanis, serving for a time as president. He spent 10 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 312 when his sons were young and was a recipient of the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver distinguished service award. He was a 50 - year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. He also served stints as president and treasurer of the Long Lake Peninsula Association. A serious sports fan, Chuck loved watching golf, Tiger baseball, and football -- especially Michigan football. He was a dedicated crossworder and bridge player and enjoyed his 402nd Fighter Squadron reunions over the years. All who knew him will miss his sense of humor, his kindness, and his strong, quiet presence. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Jan, also of Vista Grande Villa, and their four children; Keith (Sheila) Bilby of Saline, MI; Gretchen Daniels and Clay (Debbie) Bilby, all of Santa Rosa, CA; and Tad (Stacie) Bilby of Utica, MI; and nine grandchildren. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Elizabeth Ten Have and Ollie Rae Greenwood and his brother David Bilby. A celebration of his life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson on Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m., Rev. Dr. James D. Hegedus officiating. Refreshments will follow. There also will be a remembrance at Vista Grande Villa at 5 p.m. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy: GTRLC, 3860 North Long Lake Road, Suite D, Traverse City, MI, 49684 or Alzheimer's Association, 310 North Main Street, Suite 100, Chelsea, MI 48118.
The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday, July 14, from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
J. L. WATSON FUNERAL CHAPEL
2590 SPRING ARBOR ROAD
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