William H. 'Bill' Weaver

William H. "Bill" Weaver, 82, of Chocolay Township, died Thursday morning, July 7, 2022 at UP Health System-Marquette.

Bill was born on July 22, 1939 in Lansing, Michigan, a son of the late William Q. and Mildred M. (Hart) Weaver. He was a June 1957 graduate of Lansing Eastern High School and then proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from November 1957 through November 1961. He was stationed at the former K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base after serving overseas in Korea. It was there where his love of the Upper Peninsula was born.

Bill was a former partner in Nystrom's Moving and Storage Company in Marquette from 1962 through 1968. He and his family then moved back to Lansing where he joined Auto Owner's Insurance, serving as an adjustor from 1968 - 1972. Returning to Marquette he became a partner with Howard Larson in the insurance agency that eventually became Larson Hetrick and Weaver. Bill was associated with that entity until his retirement in 1999, a career that spanned 27 years.

Bill was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, belonged to the Marquette Masonic Lodge, Ahmed Temple Shrine, Marquette Noon Kiwanis Club, and was a longtime member of the Northern Michigan University Development Fund board and served one term as president. He was also a former board member of Beacon House and Child and Family Services.

In his retirement, Bill enjoyed spending time at White Birch Lodge on Big Chief Lake in Republic, Michigan, clearing trails and maintaining his property as a tree farm. He enjoyed spending many hours in his workshop at the lodge. He treasured spending time with his grandchildren exploring the woods, fishing, hunting, and working in his workshop. One of his more memorable moments was going out on the ice to teach his grandchildren ice safety and then promptly fell through the ice.

He had a great love for his dogs including Penny, who was always by his side.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Anne Heffner whom he married on August 8, 1959 in Lansing; two children, Brian (Lenore Angeli) Weaver of Big Rapids, MI and Kelly (David) Purmal of Merrill, WI; five grandchildren, Samantha and Gina Rose, Norman (Abby), Matthew (Currie), and Katie and her fiancé, Drew; two great grandchildren, Ryan and Hadley; one sister, Nancy Kauma of Chassell, MI; several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents was a brother, Robert and a sister, Katie Walker.

The Weaver family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, July 25th at Messiah Lutheran Church beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12 noon in the church with Rev. Molly Eversoll and Rev. Andrew Plocher officiating. A luncheon will take place in Magnuson Hall in the church immediately following the service.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the compassionate care provided to Bill during his stay at UP Health System-Marquette.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic St., Marquette, MI 49855.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Weaver family where memories of Bill may be shared at canalefuneral.com.