Willem Van Spanje Sr.

Below is information on my Grandfather; who died when I was only 16 years old. I miss him very much:
Willem Van Spanje was born on 20 Nov 1895 in Zwammerdam, Netherlands; son ofGysbert and Hedrika (Van Mourik) Van Spanje.
He was 1 of 4 children.
Willem received his elementary schooling in the public schools of the Netherlands. He worked as a florist in Holland; and as teh age of 14; he migrated to the United States; landed at New York and went to Paterson, NY. He worked as a milkman on the Faber Farm and worked various dairy jobs. In 1921 he started in the building trade and in 1926 he started in the contracting business for himself and built many houses in NJ. TO SEE SOME OF THE HOUSES WILLEM BUILT PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW.
In March of 1926; Willem married Agatha Johanna Woudenberg; whom he ment through his sister. They married in Paterson, NY and had 3 children.
The depression hit the family very hard and his contracting business went under.In 1941, He moved to Orange County, Greenville, NY in hopes to run a dairy farm. However ; after awhile he realized he needed more property. Around 1945, Willem moved to Roseboom, NY and purchased a 265 acre farm; which is still in the family.
Willem and his family worked the farm. He retired and left for my father; William JR. to run it. Willem died on June 23, 1988 of Pneumonia. May he RIP.
PHOTOS BELOW
The 1st PHOTO below is of my grandfather's family taken in the Netherlands. Willem is the young boy. He is with his sisters; Maria and Nellie. Along with his Parents Gysbert and Hendrina. Below also is a photo of my grandfather and his wife Agatha Johanna Woudenberg.
The portrait of the young lady by herself; is Agatha Woudenberg. and of Grandfather a few years before he died with his great grandchild; Ashley Eastwood. Also grandfather with his children Lanore and Bill (DAD) ; AND Willem other daughter Louise and her children.