William "Bill" C. Kiessling

William "Bill" C. Kiessling, 88, peacefully went to his heavenly home on Friday, October 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He passed during a reading of Psalms 23.  A wonderful moment to pronounce what he valued most, his Christian faith and his family.  He is now resting in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Bill was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose impact on the community will be cherished forever.

Bill was born on July 5, 1935, in Lee Township to the late, Carl and Myrtle (Brown) Kiessling. He was baptized in the Christian faith on August 11, 1935 and later celebrated his confirmation on April 10, 1949. His strong spiritual foundation was evident throughout his life as he remained an active lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Marshall. Bill's faith provided him with
strength and guided his actions with compassion and kindness.

Bill’s roots in agriculture ran deep. From an early age, he developed an unwavering passion for the land and all aspects of farming. He attended Eckford County Schools and graduated from Marshall High School in 1953. It was during this time that Bill discovered his natural talent for agriculture and nurtured it throughout his life.  In addition to being a lifelong farmer, he was a dedicated sales and service representative of Vermeer Ag. Equipment for 40+ years.

Bill actively participated in extracurricular activities such as the renowned organizations 4-H and FFA. His dedication and leadership skills earned him recognition as the first Marshall FFA student to achieve the American FFA Degree. Bill's commitment to these organizations continued well into adulthood as he was both a member and leader within their ranks.

Beyond his successful career and devoted involvement in church and organizations close to his heart, Bill took immense pride in his family. He shared many joyous years with his wife, Ellen Marie (Kreutzkamp) Kiessling, whom he married on October 13, 1956, just celebrating their 67th anniversary and decades of fun-filled family memories.

Bill will be deeply missed and never forgotten by his family that survives him. Wife, Ellen; children, Elaine (Jim) Carbary, Jolene (Frank) Vigliarolo, Douglas (Connie) Kiessling, and son-in-law Todd Stock; grandchildren, Brianna Stock, Caleb (Erin) Kiessling, Benjamin (Paige) Vigliarolo, Rachel Stock, Dominic Vigliarolo, Andrew Kiessling, and Samuel Kiessling; sister, Dorothy (Paul) Doenges, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Preceding Bill in death are his parents; and three children, infant David, Dennis, and Karen (Kiessling) Stock.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and dedication that will continue to inspire and bring comfort to those who knew him.

Friends and family may visit to honor the life of Bill at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services located at 723 US Highway 27 North in Marshall, MI on October 27, 2023 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A second visitation will be held on October 28, 2023, starting at 10:00am at Zion Lutheran Church, 135 West Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am, Rev. Anthony Voltattorni officiating, followed by the interment at West Eckford Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow back at the church.

The family kindly requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Bill’s memory donate to Zion Lutheran Church of Marshall or Marshall FFA Alumni Chapter.

Please visit https://www.kempffhuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.