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Obituaries » William "Bill" G. Paige
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A Celebration of Life will be held with the date and time to be announced shortly.
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William Graham Paige passed away Friday, May 22, 2026 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo with a good friend by his side.
Bill was born June 3, 1945 in Alpena, Michigan to Philip and Dorothy Paige. He is survived by his brother Robert Paige of Canton, Missouri and the daughter of his heart, Dawn Morse of Kalamazoo.
Bill received his early education at Alpena High School and Alpena Community College. Following that, he received a bachelor’s degree in business from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He served honorably in the United States Navy for two years in Okinawa, Japan, where he was trained to be a translator in the Mandrin language.
After settling in Kalamazoo, Bill worked as an accountant in the business office of Gibson Guitar. When Gibson relocated its Kalamazoo headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee, he became one of the co-founders and an owner of Heritage Guitars, and managed the business office for the company. He was a loyal and dedicated worker and was sometimes described as being “married to the company.”
Bill was an avid and skilled trout fisherman whose goal was never an empty basket. He particularly enjoyed the streams around Bellaire, Michigan and Hixton, Wisconsin, and loved casting his reel in Shanty Creek, Ginch Creek, and the Trempealeau River.
He loved sports in all seasons and particularly enjoyed college basketball and making his picks for the Sweet 16 tournament brackets. A diehard Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan, Bill tuned in every season for the highs and lows, and was always hopeful for a super bowl win and another World Series from his favorite teams. Unfortunately, he never got either of these but in typical Bill fashion, he’d say there’s always next year and never give up hope.
Bill was a kind, quiet, caring person and one who never met a stranger. He was loved by many and will be missed and fondly remembered. May your creeks and streams be filled with trout splashing in the sunshine, Bill. We love you.
