William David Griffith died on August 2, 2022 from complications of cancer in Bowling Green, KY. Born in the hills of Eastern Kentucky to Lelia Campbell during WWII sometime between 1942 and 1943 in a small town that no longer exists, he had fond memories of being raised on a small farm by his grandparents and educated in a one-room schoolhouse. After serving in the US Army and Florida National Guard, he worked his way up through several sales positions to become President of Shepherd Products in Kalamazoo, MI. He later worked as a sales executive for IPG in Sarasota, FL, where he continued to disregard company policy and refused to fully retire until the last year of his life. Retirement meant he busied himself with management opportunities disguised as volunteerism, along with largely futile attempts to improve his golf game at Paul Walker Golf Course and impart wisdom to his three children, Bryan D. Griffith (Flagstaff, AZ), Daren H. Griffith (Bancroft, MI), and Amanda M. Tabata (Grand Rapids, MI). A curious soul, he loved playing along in imaginary games with his grandchildren Nava and Cora Tabata (Grand Rapids, MI), and Linnaea and Leland Griffith (Bancroft, MI). They cherished his many stories, which seemed to get longer with each telling. "Dave", "Will", or "Griff", as he was known, traveled widely through his work, and made friends around the world with his folksy humor and wit. He would strike up a conversation with anyone. He believed everyone was worth listening to, no matter their station in life, and that a friendly attitude made the world a better place.

His family remembers him as a stern but calm and compassionate father. He had many hard turns in life, but never licked his wounds and always pulled himself back up by his bootstraps. He never took no for an answer. He could talk his way out of any bind or jury-rig a self-described "hillbilly" solution to anything if he could get his hands on enough duct tape. He taught his children to never give up, but always look for a third way out.

In lieu of a funeral service, his life will be commemorated by his children in a private ceremony in Michigan in accordance with his instructions on August 11, his birthday. Friends and extended family are encouraged to share their memories with his children by emailing dhgriffi78@gmail.com . Please do not send flowers. Donations can be made in his memory to the Kentucky Golf Foundation at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/KentuckyGolfFoundation/gift.html by mentioning William David Griffith in the comment field. Gifts are neither needed nor expected, but those who insist may contribute to a memorial college fund for his grandchildren at https://gofund.me/64277482 .

Care has been entrusted to the Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral home in Bowling Green, KY.