Grand Rapids Builders Lament Loss of Bill Zylstra - 12/6/2004 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

Grand Rapids Builders Lament Loss of Bill Zylstra

A mentor and builder to many in the home building industry, he and his brother, Roger, built hundreds of single-family homes during their 55-year partnership as W & R Builders. In the 1970s, they developed and built Princeton Estates in Kentwood, and in the last 15 years they developed Oak Crest Assisted Living facilities throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Zylstra was a senior life director on the NAHB Board of Directors. He served on many association committees; chaired the NAHB Multifamily Council; and was the NAHB liaison to Canada for many years.

At the state level, Zylstra was president of the Michigan Association of Home Builders and received the group’s highest lifetime award.

In his local association, Zylstra held numerous leadership positions and received many awards, including the coveted Builder Achievement Award for his contributions to the industry.

“Bill was a dear friend to many people in and out of the building industry, including me,” said Judy Barnes, executive vice president and CEO of HBAGGR. “He was a great thinker and problem solver. He was a man of great faith. He gave advice freely. He set the stage for the ethical and solid organization we are today with 1,250 members. He raised the bar for lifetime possibilities. He was a truly great man and will be sorely missed by all of us.”

Zylstra is survived by his wife, Joyce; and two sons and their wives and children.