William A. “Bill” Couchenour of Vicksburg passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. He was 87.
Bill was born in Uniontown, PA on August 5, 1933 to William and Gladys (Waltonbaugh) Couchenour. He was a member of Saint Petersburg High School’s State Championship basketball team and graduated with the class of 1951. After high school, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country for two years. He then attended Eastern Nazarene College where he met Ruth Andrews – the love of his life. They were married in Royersford, PA on August 31, 1957 and together they had five children: Diane, James, William, Kathleen, and Kenneth.
Bill was a very Christ-centered man and a faithful member of the Nazarene church. He served the church in a leadership capacity in Kansas and in Michigan. He also helped Olivet Nazarene University raise more than $10 million in scholarship funds. He was most proud of his family and especially loved following his grandchildren in their various activities. He will always be remembered by his family as their strong, jovial, compassionate, and loyal leader. He was their hero!
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ruth; five children: Diane Bosworth, Vicksburg, MI; Jim (Dixie) Couchenour, of Eaton Rapids, MI; Rev Bill (Rhonda) Couchenour, of Sterling, CO; Kathy Demaray, of Mason, MI; Ken (Cheryl) Couchenour, of Mason, MI; 14 grandchildren: Briana (Dustin), Brooke, Tyler (Julienne), Austen (Melanie), Kaylee (Kamron), Jonathan, Will, Rachael, Christina, Joshua, Michael (Bansari), Daniel, Caleb, McKenna; and 10 great grandchildren: Abriella, Evelyn, Rosalie, Maria, Julia, Asher, Silas, Vera, Liam, Emilia; and one on the way! He is survived by his brother Jim Couchenour of Columbiana, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents: William and Gladys Couchenour; brother: Melvin Couchenour; sister: Gladys “Sis” Hofacker; sisters-in-law: Pat and Betty Couchenour; brother-in-law: Chauncy Hofacker; and grandson-in-law: Caleb Starr.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 5 pm at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, 7520 East U Ave, Vicksburg, MI 49097. The funeral service will be Monday at 11 am at the church. Bill will then be buried with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
While at www.mccowensecord.com, please take time to sign Bill’s guestbook by lighting a candle and/or sharing a memory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the William A. & Ruth Andrews Couchenour Scholarship Fund at Olivet Nazarene University.
The Couchenour family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.