William Paul Walta, age 76, of Big Rapids, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on October 2, 2026.

Bill was born June 14, 1950, to Paul Emil Walta and Anna Virginia (Knip) Walta of Berwyn, Illinois.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Sue (Beukema) Walta; their children, Brian Walta and his wife, Lynna (McKinley), Jennie Underwood and her husband, Gary, and Steve Walta and his wife, Shelley (Turner); and seven cherished grandchildren — Anna (Walta) Koorndyk and her husband, Andrew, Avery Walta, Allison Underwood, Luke Underwood, Julie Underwood, Brooklyn Walta, and Jackson Walta. As the oldest of four siblings, Bill is also survived by Barbara Bossaller and her husband, Terry, Bob Walta and his wife, Pam, and Gal (Karen) Giron and her husband, Miguel (Gilberto). He is also survived by his uncle and aunt, Joseph and Joyce Walta, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Emil Walta and Anna Virginia (Knip) Walta.

He was raised in the Chicago area and graduated from Morton West High School in Berwyn, Illinois. He attended Morton Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Western Illinois University.

In 1971, Bill met the love of his life, Sue (Beukema), and they married the following year. For more than fifty-four years, they built a life together rooted in love, friendship, faith, and family. Over the years, they made homes in Oak Park, Illinois; Afton, Minnesota; Orland Park, Illinois; Campbellsport, Wisconsin; and Big Rapids, Michigan.

Bill cared deeply about people and made friends at every stage of his life. His faith in Jesus Christ as Lord guided how he lived and served others. He was actively involved in the local churches he and Sue attended, serving in various leadership roles, singing on praise and worship teams, and helping with Vacation Bible School.

Throughout his life, Bill was a passionate sports fan and spirited competitor. At nineteen, he began racing dirt track stock cars, a pursuit he continued for more than two decades. He also played slow-pitch softball for many years, coached his sons in Little League baseball, and enjoyed supporting youth sports in the community. Raised in the Chicago area, Bill remained a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and developed a love for the Green Bay Packers during his years in Wisconsin.

Throughout his career, Bill worked hard, led with integrity, and took pride in providing for his family. He worked as an information systems project manager and mainframe systems developer. He began his career at 3M and later joined Mercury Marine in Wisconsin, where he spent most of his career and developed a particular appreciation for the manufacturing side of the business. After moving to Michigan, he worked as a consultant for Meijer, Inc. before retiring from Gerber Life Insurance.

Looking back on their fifty-four years of marriage, Bill was most grateful for Sue’s love, support, and friendship. Together, they cared for their family’s 27-acre wooded property, welcomed family and friends into their home, took long trips on his Harley, and shared many adventures. Yet among his many accomplishments and interests, the memories Bill treasured most were those made with Sue and during their travels to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Big Rapids Cancer & Hematology Centers (CHC) and the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center for the dedicated and compassionate care they provided Bill over many months.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 10, 2026 at Woodville Community Church located at 6206 N Pine Street White Cloud, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Daggett Gilbert Funeral Home located at 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI. Interment will be at Hungerford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry at www.jailministry.org.

We thank God for Bill’s life and generous heart. We are grateful for his commitment to follow Jesus, his devotion to Sue, his love for their children and grandchildren, and the many ways he cared for his family, friends, and church. Bill will be deeply missed, but we find comfort in knowing that he is now “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).