William Herman Bolthouse. 89, founder of Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., died Friday, May 28, from natural causes, and now is in the presence of his Savior with his wife Helen, who only recently went on ahead on Valentine’s Day, 2004. William was born to William and Came Bolthouse on January 21, 1915, near Grant, Michigan.

 His parents were vegetable farmers in the West Michigan area, developing and selling many firms. He graduated from Kent City High School in 193 1, and began working on the family firm in Grant. William married Helen Adeline Humphreys on January 11, 1938. Shortly after their marriage, his father deeded that Grant farm to William and Helen, which starred one of the more successful agribusiness ventures in the United States. During the early years of his career, he sold most of his produce at the Grand Rapids Wholesale Market, but as he expanded his firming operation he began contracting with the local canning companies to take his harvest. During the I 950s he grew more produce for the fresh market, winch was sold to the emerging chain stores through produce brokers. In 1954 he incorporated his business and in 1959 built his first carrot packing plant to extend his product line, going into the fresh market. His carrot business grew quickly, and other crops were eventually dropped, as his reputation became synonymous with quality carrots.

In 1973 he moved to Bakersfield, California to build another carrot packing plant, so he could offer carrots year round. William retired in 1985 and turned the operation over to his son, Bill. Jr. During his retirement years he and Helen traveled the country in their motor home, living in it nearly fulltime until 1997. As part of his travels, he frequently visited youth camps, missionaries and other ministries he helped support. He also funded the construction of mission churches in Brazil and made frequent trips there to visit missionaries and check on progress of various construction projects.

The Bolthouse were members of Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford, Michigan. For the past seven years, William and Helen lived in the Rosewood Retirement Community in Bakersfield, California, to be near family and friends. His wife and brother Gerald Bolthouse of Hastings, Michigan preceded him in death. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law William J. and Nora Jean Bolthouse of Bakersfield; daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Jack Cole of Ludington, Michigan and Esther and Dr. William F. Clark of Coto De Caza, California; ten grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the McKinley Funeral Home in Grant, Michigan, on Sunday, June 6, from 5-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 7, at 11 am from the Grant Reformed Church. Memorial contributions are encouraged for Lake Ann Baptist Camp, P. O. Box 109, Lake Ann, Ml 49650.