William Peter Van Erp, age 76, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2022 at his home in Canton, Michigan after a courageous battle with Bile Duct Cancer. His loving wife of 53 years, Kathleen Van Erp, and their family faithfully cared for him until the end.

William, known to many as “Bill”, and his 6 older sisters as “Billy”, was a twin. He and his brother Bob were born on September 24, 1946 in Pigeon, Michigan to the surprise of their mother and father, Helen and Fritz Van Erp of Bad Axe, MI , who were expecting one baby, but returned home with their ninth, AND tenth, babies in tow.

Bill graduated from Ubly High School in 1965 and soon after was employed by Aerosmith Tool & Die. From there, he was sent to Schoolcraft College to become a Journeyman. On October 12, 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen “Kay” Van Erp, and would go on to work many jobs to support his growing family. These included Massey-Ferguson, General Dynamics, and Ford Motor Company from which he retired in 2007. Ever the hard worker, Bill soon began working at the Summit Recreational Center in Canton and driving the bus to transport the citizens of Waltonwood until his cancer diagnosis in the spring of 2021.

A friend to many and a stranger to none, Bill enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. His happiest times were spent taking road trips with Kay, teaching his 7 grandchildren the value of hard work, and bowling with his buddies. He enjoyed playing euchre, golfing and learning about investing as well. A faithful Catholic, dating back to his days as an altar boy at St. Columbkille, Bill began each week at Mass giving thanks. He and Kay modeled their faith by always helping thy neighbor and trusting God’s plan.

William was the beloved husband of Kathleen for 53 years. Loving father of Tammy (Bill) Turgeon, Tracey (Chris) Glynn, Andrew (Stacy) Van Erp, and William (Bree) Van Erp. Proud grandfather of Madison, Ellie, Johnathon, Brandon, Carter, Tyler, and Sydney. Cherished son of the late Fritz and Helen Van Erp. Dearest brother of Mary (the late Albert) Kubacki, Florence (Norman) Briolat, Evelyn (the late Earl) Schadd, Bob (Sue) Van Erp, the late Marcella (the late William) Campbell, the late Joe (Carol) Van Erp, the late Dorothy (the late Bob) Schmidt, the late Albert (the late RuthAnn) Van Erp, and the late Agnes (the late Wally) Zawilinski, and broth-in-law of Shirley (the late Henry) Piontkowski, Marlene (the late Ronald) Bukowski, Reta (Larry) Wehner, Ilene (Tim) Topolinski, Betty (Gerald) Eckenswiller, Darlene Rutkowski, the late Carol (the late Ken) Lamke, the late Richard (Pat) Rutkowski, and the late Marion Rutkowski.

Visitation for Mr. Van Erp will be held on Sunday, October 16th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. Scripture Service, at McCabe Funeral Home, 851 N. Canton Center Road, Canton. He will lie in state on Monday, October 17th, at 10:00 a.m. until the time of his Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church, 555 S. Lilley Road, Canton.

In lieu of flowers, donations will support the Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Research Fund (Sahai) at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made to “University of Michigan” and sent to the Michigan Medicine Office of Development, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the website  victors.us/williamvanerp to make your gift.

Or, gifts by mail can be sent directly to: Michigan Medicine Office of Development at 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108