Wayland activist, school principal Bill Mauchmar dies

William Mauchmar, educator, administrator, community servant and patriarch of a well-known athletic local family, died Friday, May 7. He was 88.
Born Sept. 26, 1932, he was longtime member of St. Therese Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7581, and was elementary principal for many years at East Kentwood.
Two of his sons, Conrad and Rodney, were recipients of the Louis Japinga Award at Wayland High School, and grandson Kyle Laker holds the school record in the high jump at 6-9.
Mauchmar also served on the Wayland City Council, as did son Rodney. He also was chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and was on the Downtown Development Authority and Planning Commission.

He was a member of the Allegan County Board of Supervisors and St. Therese School Board.

Mauchmar also was a longtime clarinetist with the local band, the Terrible Troubadors and with the Good Time People.

Survivors include children Vicki (Dave) May, Conrad (Mary) Mauchmar, William (Terri) Mauchmar, Rodney Mauchmar, Sharon (Clyde) LaDuke, Douglas (Tammie) Mauchmar and Amy (Mark) Holloway; son-in-law Dave Long; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-granchildren, and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Bernadine “Cookie” Mauchmar and daughter Christine Long.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Cook-Kubiak Funeral Funeral Home, 312 N. Main St., Wayland. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at St. Therese Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Therese Church, Wings of Hope Hospice of Wayland VFW.

1 Comment

  1. Don't Tread On Me

    My condolences to the family. Bill was a great American and educator.

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