Billy DEKRUYFF

DEKRUYFF, VAN DYKE, ROSE, DANIELS, DENHARTOG, PENMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2013 at 15:20:09

October 14, 1938 --- January 24, 2013

Billy DeKruyff, 74, of Kanawha, passed peacefully from this life to his eternal home at his residence on Thursday, January 24, 2013. Celebration of Life for Billy DeKruyff will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, 129 East 3rd Street, in Kanawha with Pastor Steve Schulz and Pastor Daniel Lindley officiating. A committal service will be held on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. There will be no visitation.

Billy, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Van Dyke) DeKruyff was born at their farm home near Kellogg, Iowa, October 14, 1938. He attended country school thru 8th grade. He then began helping with the farming operation. Billy was the oldest of his four siblings, James, Helen, Peter, Jr. and Paul. The family moved to a farm near Otley during his 8th grade year. Billy, his father and brother James farmed together for many years. He also was in a partnership in a corn shelling business. On a snowy day on the 11th of January 1968, Billy and Marilyn Rose were united in marriage at the home of the bride. This union was blest with three children, Brenda, Brian, Beth. The continued living near Otley and farming until May 1975 when Billy accepted a position as District Manager for Archer Petroleum Corporation moving to Denhart. They lived there till the spring of 1983 when they moved to their present location 1 ¼ miles north of Kanawha. Billy always loved farming so after many years of being District Manager he worked for several local farmers enjoying it thoroughly driving machinery he always dreamed of having.

He opened his own repair shop. He loved engines of any kind and considered it an enjoyable challenge to be able to repair them. He also purchased his own dump truck and began hauling gravel, rock and sand. In later years, he enjoyed having coffee at Pronto with many special friends. He was baptized and made profession of his faith in the Otley Reformed Church. He taught catechism and built special relationships with many of the youth he taught. He also served many years as deacon and elder in the church council. He felt it a great honor to serve, but also was so humbled that the Lord would choose him to serve this way.

Music was a big part of Bill’s life. He sang in a gospel quartet before moving to Kanawha. Bill and Marilyn enjoyed many gospel concerts, traveling to many locations to enjoy praise and worship thru music. They also spent many Sunday afternoons sitting on the piano bench singing together during their dating years.

Billy is survived by his wife, Marilyn of 45 years; his son Brian (Candyce) of Prattville, Alabama; Beth Daniels of Kanawha; five grandchildren: Madison and Payton Daniels; Tyler, BriAnna, and Katelynn DeKruyff; sister Helen (Cornie) DenHartog; brother Peter, Jr. (Marie) DeKruyff; sisters-in-law Lila DeKruyff and Judy Penman, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter Brenda; brothers James and Paul.

For those who profess Christ as their Savior to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This was Billy’s comfort that he belonged to Christ for eternity.

Ewing Funeral Home
http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries.php?id=472