William “Bill” Christen IV

William “Bill” Christen IV of Chelsea died after a brief illness on Jan. 5, 2026 in Ann Arbor. He was born in Toledo on Sept. 10, 1947. He moved to Michigan at age 17 to attend GMI (now Kettering U) followed by a career as an automotive engineer with General Motors. After early retirement, he was a substitute teacher in the Warren Con. Schools for 10 years.

Engineering was his profession, but art and history were his passions.  Early photographs were the main inspiration for his paintings. During decades he was involved in Civil War reenacting he did extensive historical research that he shared widely. His experience as a leader in national events during the peak years of Civil War reenacting (where he met his wife Glenna Jo) led to movie roles ranging from an extra in the movie “Gettysburg” (starring Jeff Daniels) and made-for-TV movies, to speaking roles in historical documentaries and National Park Service films. He also wrote, Pauline Cushman: “Spy of the Cumberland,” the biography of a Civil War era actress and spy.

A few years after moving to Chelsea in 2016, he and Glenna Jo started collecting [styro]foam in their garage for recycling. That small start has grown into a joint effort with another couple with help from other volunteers for weekly collections in Dexter. As members of Chelsea Zero Waste Coalition, they also frequently helped to collect compostable and recyclable items at a variety of community events to keep them out of landfills.

He will be long and fondly remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and husband who was always generous in every way.

He was preceded in death by his father, William (Bill) Christen III and his mother, Kathryn Christen. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Jo [Rost] Christen, son William “Bill” Christen V, daughter, Kim Williamson and grandchildren, Benjamin Christen, Ethan Holly, Zachary Christen, and Madalynn Williamson.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sat. Feb. 21^st from 1-5 PM at the Fair Restaurant in Chelsea. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to the Chelsea Area Historical Society, 128 Jackson St. Chelsea, MI or the American Battlefield Trust P.O Box 1751 Merrifield, VA 22116-1751 or at https://www.battlefields.org/help-save-battlefields