William Griffiths

William Arthur Griffiths, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on December 13, 1937 in Buchanan, Michigan to William K. and Velma E. (Brown) Griffiths.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo).  He began a remarkable career in banking at the former First National Bank in Niles while he was a high school student.  He continued with First National’s successor, the American National Bank, and was retired as a trust officer from Old Kent Bank.  He also had a remarkable military career, serving in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant while on active duty during the Viet Nam Era, and continuing with the Reserve from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, always working in military finance.

Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles where he also served on the church’s foundation.  He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Niles.  He enjoyed traveling, including trips to Italy and Mexico, and summers at Bitely, Michigan.  His interest in finances remained constant, including a daily review of the stock market.

Surviving family includes his sister, Patricia D. (& Vernon E.) Grinnell, Jr. of Calhoun, Georgia and nieces and nephews, Susan (& Tom Pizzarello) Grinnell, Sandra (& Jeff) Bowers, Scott (& Amber) Grinnell, and Shara (& Larry) Hamilton, and two more generations of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for William A. Griffiths will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating.  The Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” will be offered by the United States Army Honor Guard in the church parking lot immediately following the funeral.  Committal will be private, on Monday, at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, and beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.  Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the FPC Foundation, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, MI   49120; http://www.firstpresofniles.org.  Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com