Bill Vits
August 20, 1957 - October 17, 2022
Grand Rapids, Michigan

William Henry Vits, aka Bill or "Billy" Vits, age 65, of Grand Rapids Michigan passed away in the presence of family at his home on Monday, October 17, 2022 after a two-year battle with head and neck cancer. Bill was born August 20, 1957 in Evanston, IL to Lou Ellyn (Siewert) and Henry W. Vits, Jr. Bill graduated from Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, IN in 1975, and shortly thereafter received his B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University and Master's in Orchestral Performance from the University of Michigan. He married Stacey E. Rajeski on February 13, 1991 in Grand Rapids, MI. Bill served as the Principal Percussionist for the Grand Rapids Symphony since 1979, and he performed with surf rock band, The Concussions, for 20 years. He also served as Assistant Director on The Rhythm Bones Society's Board of Directors. For Bill, music was a universal language; it knew no boundaries. His "Percussion Discussion" school show enriched the lives of thousands of elementary school children in West Michigan, and he taught private lessons and college courses to hundreds of students over the years. Bill's innovative style on the rhythm bones showcased traditional playing while incorporating drum rudiments. Examples of his recording work included songs "Pop Up" and "Fun City," sounds for Sesame Street animated shorts "Monkey's T-Shirt," "Dogs" and "Night Sounds," and even a recording session with traveling Tibetan monks. Bill was known for being ever-present at local music venues and festivals, often sitting in for a song or helping unload and load up at a friend's gig. He once played "Bolero" at Carnegie Hall, backed up The Who in Van Andel Arena, and played with Weird Al Yankovic in DeVos Performance Hall, all in the same year. Bill was known for his adventurous spirit, quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, big heart, and passion for the arts. He loved nature, especially bicycling, camping, hiking, wildlife observation, and yard work at home, so much so that he often described his religion as "taking a walk in the woods" - that and being in good company. He loved animals, including his pet cat Link, and often taught them musical tricks like ringing a bell when they were hungry. If Bill was in the driver's seat and there was both time and a scenic route available, he would always take the "back way" down country roads, whether it be a 20-minute errand or a trip across the country. In downtime he enjoyed studying history and antiques, so on weekends he could regularly be found at a flea market reclaiming vintage collectibles and percussion instruments that needed just a little elbow grease to be back in working order. Bill is survived by wife, Stacey Vits of Grand Rapids, MI; son, Tabor W. Vits of Lansing, MI; sister, Gayle Gottfried of Paddock Lake, WI, brother-in-law, Glenn Gottfried of Paddock Lake, WI, sister-in-law Dana Roesler of Grand Rapids, MI, brother-in-law Todd Roesler of Grand Rapids, MI, and brother-in-law John Rajeski of Tokyo, Japan. Bill is also survived by 4 nieces and nephews, Gavin (Kelsey) Gottfried, Garrett (Carolina Herrera) Gottfried, Gabrielle Gottfried, and Madison Roesler; bandmates, Chris Schichtel, Tommy Schichtel, and Dave Stanton; his Grand Rapids Symphony family; and countless friends. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Lou Ellyn and Henry W. Vits, Jr. Per Bill's wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held Spring of 2023. 

Passion for Percussion: Bill Vits promoting the Rhythm Bones Society’s GR convention back in 2014. (Photo/Tori Thomas)

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/william-vits-obituary?id=36926304