Z William Colson

Birth date: Nov 18, 1924 Death date: Jul 10, 2014

Z William “Bill” Colson Jr., age 89, of Oberlin, Ohio passed away Thursday, July 10, 2014 at his home under the care of New Life Hospice. His wife B.D., son Mark and his caretaker Diane were present. He was born on November 18, 1 Read Obituary

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Bob Fleck

469w ago

My wife Ruth and I were married by Bill over 51 years ago. I first met Bill when he was pastor in Chicago at the Forest Glen church. When my wife and I were planning our wedding, we wanted a dual pastor ceremony. We were so glad that Bill came to the Congregational Church in Ripon Wisconsin.on a very cold day in January, 1966.

Over the years we corresponded at Christmas time or on our anniversary. If I recall, Bill and B. D. had an anniversary date close to ours.

Bill was a man of God and we always looked forward to hearing from him. The Christmas letter we sent in 2016 was returned and now we know why. We kept sending in the last years, even without a response because he was such a dear friend.

Rev. Bob Braman

600w ago

I knew Bill in the 1980s and early 1990s while he was at Charlotte and I was serving in Sheridan. His friend Rev. Bob Waters first introduced me to him. What a kind, gentle man! What a sense of humor! Always the desire to see the best but not deny there were troubling events and people in the world. I have shared stories about him with Debra Burkhardt (maiden name?) who grew up in the Charlotte church and is a member where I now serve. Obviously you have much to celebrate. Peace to you all.
Rev. Bob Braman
First Cong Church UCC
St. Joseph, MI

Cheryl Burke

601w ago

Dear Colson family, you are in the prayers of the Michigan Conference UCC. We are grateful for the service of Rev. Colson and pray that your memories of his life are filled with peace, love and joy.
Blessings,
Rev. Cheryl Burke

Roger Stutesman

601w ago

Bill Colson and I were pastors of U.C.C. churches in the Lansing area at the same time and I became acquainted with him because our clergy group would meet regularly. He and I were both liberal in our theology and politics and also shared an interest in the arts and, thus, we got along well with each other.
After his retirement he and BD moved to Ann Arbor where I eventually moved, so we continued to get together. There is one experience which exemplified how genuine was Bill's caring nature. My wife and I visited them in their Ann Arbor condo and took along our son, who was then a toddler. Our son was notorious about not being willing to have anyone else hold him, but when we arrived at their condo our son immediately let it be known that he would go to Bill.
I will always remember Bill as a person who cared deeply about others and his intelligence and caring nature made him a wonderful person with whom to spend time.
I would like to attend the August 2 memorial service, but have minor surgery on the previous day. I shall make the drive from Ann Arbor if I'm physically able to do so.

John Brueger

601w ago

Dear BD & Family:Thank you for placing Bill's obituary in the Ann Arbor News. I first met Bill when we started as volunteers at the U of M Cancer Center. We ultimately began to meet for lunch once a month to share our volunteer experiences and talk about the latest in politics. I was sorry to lose a friend when he moved to Oberlin, OH.
John Brueger
Ann Arbor, MI

Adrian Bass

601w ago

BD,
It was a long time ago, but I have fond memories of Bill and BD and myself marching in Detroit to protest the Republican Convention's conservative platform. We thought we were probably the only Democrats in Eaton County then. So sorry to read about his passing.
Adrian Bass
Charlotte, MI

Tom Reynolds

601w ago

Dear B. D.,
I was terribly sorry to hear about Bill's death. I send you, your children and their families my sympathy.
With love from your cousin,
Tom (Colson) Reynolds
Rocky Mount, NC

James Ratcliff

602w ago

Dear family members of Z. William Colson,

I am pained to hear about the death of Mr. Colson. It is never easy to deal with someone who you love dearly dying. It is always an unnatural and cold situation to deal with and it hurts those who are affected by it. You are not alone in your sorry because millions around the world experience the same pain daily. That doesn't take away from the pain and personal grief that you experience though. Mr. Colson lived a long life, and from the look it he evidently made the most of it. I personally was inspired by it and as a young indibiual it brought a smile to my face to see him set an example in promoting positivity, pursuing his goals and enjoying the fruit of his labor- all with love. As a preacher he most assuredly knew that God did not intend for him to die. Look at the pain it has caused you and your family! Mr. Colson most likely longed for the day when he could be healthy and young again, able to enjoy the beauty in life and not have to deal with the stressors in life we currently have to deal with. If you could though when you get a chance, take a loo at Rev. 21:3,4 & Isaiah ch. 35:1-10. I hope you find it to be encouraging. I send my condolences to you and your family with a warm heart and sympathy. Your fellow neighbor,

James Ratcliff

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