William Arthur Minshall (Bill) of Hartford passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. He enjoyed over 94 years of a full, active life. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Cornelia Minshall (nee Hurlbut), his Aunt Katharine Minshall, his wife Kathleen O’Malley Minshall and his brother Jim Minshall. Surviving are his children Julaine and Jared Minshall, his sisters Jean Mumford and Linda Herbert and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Allied Occupation. He was a Master Electrician who was proud of the work he did on missile sites in South Dakota and Wyoming. He was also a member of IBEW Local 131 Kalamazoo union and proudly wore his hat every day! He could figure out a way to “fix” almost anything and instilled a love of working with his hands to his son.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, especially when he was hunting pheasants in South Dakota with Schatzi, his German Shorthaired Pointer. He also loved to fish and was always willing to patiently answer his nephews’ and nieces’ questions about the best techniques for catching crappies or sharing his preferred bait for catching trout. And more than one nephew learned trapping techniques from him. However, he was also was concerned with improving habitat conditions for all the animals that frequented his farm.
His farm was his special place. He loved to watch the wildlife that wandered through the fields and woods, and he loved to watch the seasons change; it brought him peace and hours of enjoyment. Jared and Julaine often helped him plant white pine trees, and snowshoe on the trails when they were children.
He loved his family, his farm and lived a full, rich life! He will be missed.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday August 8, 2022 at 11:30am at the Hartford United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 425 E Main St in Hartford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Van Buren County Historical Society and mailed to Van Buren County Historical Museum, PO 452, Hartford, Michigan 49057. Or to Caring Circle Hospice of Spectrum Health Lakeland, 4025 Health Park Ln, St Joseph, MI 49085