first published June 19, 2015—William C. Grimm (“Bill” to friends and “Mr. Grimm” to the many college students who sought his advice and considered him a “second father”) exemplified Catholic fatherhood up to the moment of his death. He passed away on the evening of June 15, his 88th birthday, surrounded by birthday celebration and family, just after prayers.
You won’t read about worldly achievements, financial abundance, or career milestones in Mr. Grimm’s obit.
Yet his funeral will be better attended than most, packed to beyond overflowing—quite literally—in a very large, beautiful parish where one of his sons directs the music program. You’ll hear endless snippets of shared stories of the myriad of ways that Mr. Grimm helped, guided, led, challenged, formed, and listened to others … These stories– and spontaneous laughter and singing — will be recounted long into the night at the post-funeral reception… and for years after. 
Mr. Grimm spoke his mind. Challenged ideas. Had many a great laugh. Always he stayed close to the Sacraments and the Church, and led his family to do likewise.
He never hesitated to do the right thing for people, and went the extra five miles for anyone in need without a second thought, even while sharing his opinions on politics, principles, or philosophy.
The small stuff mattered to him. Connection. Love. He lived a full life, never hesitating to drive long distances to attend a wedding or funeral or other event. He didn’t waste time worrying about things that might keep others up through the night. He had a bead on the future but was focused on living in the present. And he provided the most important thing any father can provide for his family; he was there for them.
There wasn’t any part of his life not formed, shaped by his Catholic faith. And it was so even as a young man.
Bill and his beautiful wife, Irene, married—with happy approval from both families—when he was just 20 and she, 17 years old. Today, he and Irene number 17 children and an astounding number of grandchildren (more than 130), and great-grandchildren (more than 70). As one friend put it, their “immediate family” is larger than the population of several small Midwestern towns.
Bill and Irene didn’t live in a shoe in the middle of nowhere. They didn’t have a TV reality show. They lived, quite happily, just outside Los Angeles, in Pasadena, in a large simple house, with a gigantic yard.
Their backyard served as the site of many a college party, hangout, wedding, receptions… New Years Eve parties and so many other exciting events, half of them “spontaneous”-ish.. Just plain fun. There wasn’t an over abundance of furniture. Simplicity allowed for plenty of room for friends. A grand piano in the living room was the center of countless performances, sing-a-longs and entertainment — from the Handel’s Halleluliah! chorus to Virginia Reel folk dancing.
Everyone pitched in – food and soft drinks and wine and toasts were abundant; dancing and wonder-filled, deep discussions on faith, religion, philosophy, history, politics took place in pockets of space throughout any gathering.
In so many ways—in so many seemingly small, unnoticed ways—Mr. Grimm taught his children and their endless stream of friends, most of whom made his home the center of their activities, what is important in life. He will be so sorely missed, yet his legacy lives on in ways he never planned or imagined!…
What better way to say Thank You and honor his memory than by living as he lived?!
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Pasadena Resident Bill Grimm, hero to his large family, dies at 88 – Pasadena Star News
- In Memoriam: William C. Grimm, 1927 – 2015 –Thomas Aquinas College