William Vanden Bos, 86, a man known for his warm and compassionate personality, passed away on November 6 from the effects of several strokes.
Vanden Bos was born in Platte, S.D. Following high school he joined the family's farm operation and, eventually bought the farm from his father. After feeling the call to pursue gospel ministry, he and his wife, Mary Ann, sold the farm and loaded their goods on a cattle truck. With their four sons, they drove to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he attended Calvin College and Seminary, graduating in 1973.
Vanden Bos served the following Christian Reformed congregations: Sumas (Wash.) CRC; Newton (Iowa) CRC: and Bemis (S.D.) CRC. He retired in 1993 and subsequently served for 11 years as the chaplain of the Lynden (Wash.) Health Care Center. He also served several churches that were without pastors.
Vanden Bos is remembered for his thoughtful kindness to people. His sermons too showed that he was aware of people's needs and burdens. He loved the congregations he served and the church at large. And he, in turn, was highly loved by the churches he served. God's Word was new to him every morning. And secure in the Word, he did not hesitate to discuss new ideas and methods.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, by their children Donald and Marlene Vanden Bos, Roland and Esther Vanden Bos, Steven and Sherry Vanden Bos, and Timothy and Julie Vanden Bos, and by 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
About the Author
The late Louis Tamminga (d. Nov. 11, 2024), a long-time pastor, leader, and administrator in the Christian Reformed Church, wrote the pastors' In Memoriam column for The Banner until 2015.
