- Date Of Birth: May 9, 1949
- Date Of Death: February 1, 2022
- State: Michigan
Philip Carl Woltersom passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. He was born May 9, 1949, in Kalamazoo, MI. He is the son of the late John A. and Sylvia E. (Dykstra) Woltersom.
Phil, or “Walt, Walleye, or Wally” as he was known to close friends, graduated from Kalamazoo Christian Schools and went on to get his associates degree at Ferris State University in automotive repair.
Phil loved to turn a wrench. He worked as an auto mechanic at DeNooyer and later as a transmission tester at Eaton. When he didn’t have his hands on a car or truck at work, he loved to tinker with his own Corvettes and drive them on country roads.
He also loved to be outdoors with his dogs. He and his red nose beagle, Rusty, enjoyed hunting grouse north of Newberry in the Upper Peninsula. He was always ready to go fishing, especially in the Pine River area.
For decades, until just two years ago, Phil hosted a game of poker with friends on the first Friday of the month. People felt welcomed and accepted by him. Playing pool and Eight Ball Deluxe pinball in his basement kept him busy, as well, and he kept track of his games using tally marks (5,032 games of pinball in 2018!).
Phil was a longtime member of Grace Christian Reformed Church in Kalamazoo. Days before his passing, he shared with one of his neighbors John 14:6, in which Jesus promises, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
He lived in his beloved home for 67 years. Through his faithful daily walks with his dog, Penny, Phil developed many friendships in the neighborhood. His neighbors loved him for his bright smile and his love of sweets, and they will continue to think of the hill by his house as “Phil’s hill.” He will be greatly missed on Canterbury Ave and in Kalamazoo.
Philip is survived by his son, Nick Kuhl; siblings, Richard Woltersom and Barbara Conlin; and several special friends and neighbors.
