Joseph Anthony Bis

Joseph Bis, 74, of Kalamazoo, MI, died peacefully in Kalamazoo on April 3, 2025. Born in Kalamazoo in 1950 to Anthony and Mary (Woods) Bis, he was enterprising since childhood, funding his early education at Hackett with a paper route. Later, he forged lifelong friendships while attending Western Michigan University. He and his classmates remained close throughout the years through softball, ski trips, and summer reunions. After graduating with a degree in Business, he began his career at James River and later retired from his own consulting business.

Married to Debora (Van Oosterum) for more than fifty years, Joe was a devoted husband; loving father to Joshua and Sarah (Bruinsma), father-in-law to Daniel Bruinsma, and beloved grandfather to Kieryn and Asa. All will deeply miss his ever-positive attitude and will remember him most fondly for summers spent fishing off the dock and boating on Hamlin Lake. Later in life, Joe found purpose and community as an organizer of his local "One Day at a Time" chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and sister Clara (Harrison), and is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren as well as sisters Carol (Holt) and Christie (Webb) and several nephews and nieces.

In lieu of a funeral, a celebration of life will be held this summer.

Joe achieved sobriety with the help of Recovery Unplugged Behavioral Health, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida later in life. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse call 1-855-954-1194 for help and more information regarding this life changing program.