William Charles Lavery

William Charles Lavery

June 24, 1932 – March 20, 2024

William “Bill” Charles Lavery, 91, of Parkersburg, IA passed away at Pinnacle Specialty Care on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.  He was born June 24, 1932, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, son of William and Nell (Wallace) Lavery. He enjoyed playing cricket and soccer in his younger years. Bill married Margaret Savage in 1957 and they immigrated to the United States in 1961, settling in Michigan.  He came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 33 and five years later the Lord called him to preach the gospel full time, which involved traveling the US and into many other countries. Bill’s passion was reading the scriptures and sharing the good news of the gospel through his actions, conversation and preaching.  Margaret passed away in 1998 in Berlin, Vermont.  Bill married Linda (Wagar) Walvatne on December 28, 2005, and they made their home in Parkersburg. Bill never met a stranger and made new friends very easily.  He was a storyteller and had a quick wit that everyone enjoyed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Margaret; and his siblings: Margaret (Oliver) Johnston, Colin (Susan) Lavery and Joan (Robert) Hamilton all of Belfast, N. Ireland.  He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Linda; children: M. Roslyn (Bob) Rea of Arlington, WA, W. Mark (Sarah) Lavery of Farmington Hills, MI, Colleen R. (Bill) Wright of Jeddo, MI, and Fiona J. Lavery of Bloomfield Hills, MI; grandchildren: Devon (Ryan) Hoy of Arlington, WA, Erin (Jose) Lopez of Austin, TX, Robby Rea of Arlington, WA, Heather (Brady) Stocker of Williamsport, IN, Nicole, Michael, Megan and Cara Rea of Barretown, VT, Alana (Bill) Atyeo of London, Ontario, CAN, Trevor Lavery of Ferndale, MI, Evan Lavery of Farmington Hills, MI, Jocelyn (Peter) Shutt of Canton, MI, Billy (Jana) Wright of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Spencer Wright of Jeddo, MI, Tyler Wright of Lake Orion, MI, Shane Wright of Kimball, MI, Maggie Wright of Jeddo, MI, Chelsea (Mike) Smith of Farmington, MI, and Brenna Houle of Livonia, MI; 15 great-grandchildren; plus 3 children (spouses) and 19 grandchildren through Linda’s branch of the family tree.

Bill’s Visitation will be held from 4-6:30 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls.  His Funeral Service will be held on March 30, 2024, at Stark Road Gospel Hall in Livonia, Michigan at 11:00 am (with a visitation from 9:30-11am). Burial service immediately following at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, with a luncheon to follow at the Gospel Hall.  Funeral will be live streamed on https://srgh.org