William John Roush

On July 30, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, William "Bill" John Roush of Hastings, Michigan, went home to be with his Lord at the age of 86.

Bill was born on March 19, 1939, in Highland Park, Michigan, to William John and Meride (Hartman) Roush. After graduating from Springfield High School in 1957, he chose a life of service at an age when most young men are just finding their way. At 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, later moving into active duty with the Marines from 1958–1961. Only 41 days after his discharge, he answered the call again—this time with the U.S. Army.

His service took him far from home: a year stationed in Korea, then training with the 11th Air Assault at Fort Benning, and eventually deployment to South Vietnam in 1965. Across four tours there, he faced the harshest realities of combat with a courage that never wavered. During his final tour, while serving with a Special Forces "B" Team in the Mekong Delta, he was wounded—a sacrifice that earned him the Purple Heart among many other decorations.

Those who knew him best would tell you that medals only tell part of Bill's story. His real strength was in the way he carried himself through it all—with humility, humor, and an unshakable sense of duty.

It was in Vietnam that Bill's life took a turn he would forever be grateful for. In 1967, he married the love of his life, Xuan Mai Thi. For more than five decades, their marriage was a partnership built on deep love, humor, and devotion. They faced every season of life side by side until Mai's passing in July 2023.

When Bill returned home from the military, he poured his energy into new ways of serving others—first with the Michigan Department of Corrections for 17 years, then by running his own tax service. He gave generously of his time as a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion Post 45 Honor Guard, and as a volunteer at the Battle Creek VA Hospital.

Bill's faith in Christ was the quiet foundation of everything he did. He took communion daily, lived with open hands, and gave more of himself than he ever asked for in return. Though he could be serious when it mattered, Bill was known just as much for his dry wit and wicked sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh, often with a perfectly timed comment that cut right to the heart of a moment.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Anita; his beloved wife of 53 years, Mai; his parents; four siblings; and one grandson. He leaves behind a family that adored him: children David (Susan) Roush, Debbie (Matt) Miller, Andy (Debbie) Roush, Mai (Dan) Malone, and Yvon (David) Roush-Sisson; grandchildren Jared, Colt, Eden, Mary, Lucinda, and Oren; great-grandchildren Cadan, Carter, Callen, Paisley, and Matthew; siblings Edgar Roush, Frank Roush, and Alice Sanderson; and a wide circle of friends and community who are better for having known him.

Funeral services, followed by a luncheon, under the care of Girrbach Funeral Home, will be held Tuesday, August 12, at 11 a.m. at Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings. (It can be viewed online here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/163gL8mVsG/ Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 45 of Hastings.