William S. Farr Jr.

William Summers Farr Jr. (Bill) beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Born in New York City on March 10, 1935, Bill lived a life of unwavering loyalty, integrity, and discipline. He grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri and after law school, made Grand Rapids his home for the remainder of his life.

Bill graduated from Washington University and went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he served as president of his class. Following law school, he began his career with Hillman Baxter Hammond in Grand Rapids before founding his own firm, Farr & Osterhouse, in 1980. He dedicated his professional life to advocating for others as a highly respected attorney.

A man of deep faith, Bill was a devoted Christian who raised his family in the Presbyterian church. He served on the board of deacons, sang in the choir, and participated in church basketball and softball leagues. His service extended into the broader community as well: he served on the boards of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Plaster Creek Watershed Council, Planned Parenthood, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and United Way, among others. He was named "Young Man of the Year" and was nominated by Governor Bill Milliken to run for Michigan Attorney General. Bill received the prestigious Donald R. Worsfold Distinguished Service Award and served as president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He also helped found the Kent County Legal Assistance Center, providing vital legal services to underprivileged families.

Bill was a tireless volunteer, offering his time and talents to organizations like Degage Ministries, serving as an elementary school reading tutor, and providing countless hours of pro bono legal work. His life was a reflection of humility, generosity, and a commitment to justice.

Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Bill was an avid outdoorsman, a passionate sports enthusiast, and a cowboy at heart. He loved competitive sports — basketball, racquetball, and any other game he could play — and was an unwavering University of Michigan "Go Blue" fan. His greatest passion was fly fishing, often escaping to the cottage he built on the Pere Marquette River, where he found peace and joy in nature.

Above all, Bill was a devoted family man. He married the love of his life, Kay C. Farr in 1957, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. They traveled the world extensively during retirement and cherished every moment spent with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife (Kay) of 67 years, three children: Greg (Shari) Farr, Sherie (Mark) Kemp, and Cindy (Keith) Frey; his grandchildren Brad, Justin, Alli, Taylor, Christopher, Jacob, Mark, Michael,  Jennifer, Crystal, and Tabatha; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and steadfast support.

He was the heart and backbone of our family — a rock whose strength and unconditional love touched every life he encountered. He will be forever missed and always cherished. A service for Bill will be held on Monday, May 12th, at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 47 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids. Visitation will be at 10:00, followed by a service at 11:00 and a luncheon directly after.

In Lieu of flowers, a donation would be appreciated to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, where you can add a dedication in memory of William S. Farr, or choose a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William S. Farr Jr., please visit our floral store.