Obituary of William Graafsma

GRAAFSMA, William, Sr. , age 91, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 14, 2008. Born in Orangetown, NY, he grew up in Upper Saddle River. When he married the love of his life, Nellie Graafsma (nee Pikaard) they eventually settled in Hawthorne and called that home for 48 years. He moved to Mahwah four years ago. William was a dairyman with Ideal Farms for 24 years. Following retirement, he worked for the Ridgewood Board of Education until fully retiring in 1985. He was a member of Ramapo Hills Chapel, Mahwah. Bill will always be remembered for his sweet gentle spirit, his great sense of humor and his love and devotion to his wife and family. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Nellie, to whom he was married for 59 wonderful years, his five children; Marion Benjamin and her husband Fred of Mahwah, Frank and his wife Susan of Las Vegas, NV, Neal and his wife Janet of Oak Ridge, NC, William, Jr. And his wife Debbye of Matthews, NC, and Paul and his wife Sue of Montoursville, PA. He is also survived by his fourteen grandchildren; Melissa and her husband Drew, Susan, Rachel and her husband Ryan, Bethany, Michelle, Rebecca, Joshua, Marybeth, Daniel, Kristin, Amanda, Paul, Caleb, Allyssa, his adored great-granddaughter Taylor, and his sister Martha Novakowski of West Milford. He was predeceased by his three sisters and one brother. Friends may visit the family on Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff. Funeral Service, Saturday, 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment, Redeemer Cemetery, Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Ramapo Hills Chapel, 59 Masonicus Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430, would be appreciated. Www. Vpfh. Com.