TRAVERSE CITY – William J. Tharp, age 73, of Traverse City passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the Villa at Traverse Point.
Bill served our grateful nation from August 3, 1966 to July 26, 1968 in the United States Army first infantry division eleventh armored cavalry in Vietnam. He was a member of AFSCME Council 25 Region 10 V.P. with 12 years of service.
Bill was on the Blair Township zoning board of appeals and park maintenance. He was a coach of the Grawn little league and organizer. He was a lifetime member of our local VFW Post 2780. He also worked at Union Market. Bill worked for Traverse City area public schools with 34 years of service.
Bill enjoyed snowmobiling, biking, riding his john deer tractor, playing baseball with his grandkids, watching the news, polka, and playing with his furry friends, Fluffy and Peanut.
Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Betty (DuPerron) Tharp, 3 children; Sonia Schlegel, Amy Tharp, and William Troy Tharp, 3 grandsons; Collin, Kaleb, Carter, 1 granddaughter, Summer, brother, Jim (Mari) sisters; Ronda (Stan) and Velma (Dean) as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia, and Ray, sister Lynette, and brother, Roen.

A visitation for Bill will take place from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Saturday, August 1, 2020. An interment/graveside service will take place at 3:00 PM at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens immediately following the visitation where military honors will be held. A luncheon will be held at the VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bill's honor to HANDS to the Rescue and Blair Township Emergency Services.