1934
William
2009
William A. Werner
October 4, 1934 — July 12, 2009
Munising
Retired Probate Judge, William A.Werner, age 74, of N6364 Knox Street, Munising, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, July 12, 2009. He was born on October 4, 1934 to William and Helen (Dobrzynski) Wengrzynowicz. Bill earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology and then entered into the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in November of 1957. He transferred to Mariana Air Force Base in Florida for flight training and received his pilot's license. Bill flew T-34's and T-28's. He was raised to 1st Lieutenant and served as the Assistant Provost Marshall and Base Security Officer after the Air Force closed down its training program. Bill was honorably discharged as a Captain from the U.S. Air Force. He then graduated from Wayne State University with his Law Degree in 1963 and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1964. Bill worked Corporate Law for Kelly's Services and then while visiting with friends, he fell in love with Munising. Bill served as the Alger County Prosecutor for thirteen years. He then served as Probate and Juvenile Court Judge in Alger and Schoolcraft Counties for seventeen years having taken the bench on January 1, 1983. In addition to his Probate and Juvenile Court duties, he was appointed Family Court Judge for both counties on January 1, 1998. Due to health reasons, Bill retired from the bench on February 1, 2000. He was quoted of his retirement, "I shall always be grateful to the people of Alger and Schoolcraft Counties for allowing me the opportunity and privilege to serve them as their Judge. I have always tried to be fair and objective; it has been my goal to treat people as I would want to be treated. I hope I have succeeded." Bill married Kinky (Baij) Belfry on January 31, 1976 at the Eden Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the Grand Island Masonic Lodge and Past Potentate of the Ahmed Temple Shrine. Bill was also a past member of the Alger County Historical Society, the Manistique Elks Club, and numerous law and judicial organizations. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and fishing, and Bill was a generous and kind man with a great sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife - Kinky Werner of Wetmore; children - Paul Werner of Copper Mountain, CO, Laurel (Phil) Sabon of Brighton, MI, Daniel Werner of Lansing, and Bob Belfry of Munising; grandchildren - Steven, Ryan, and McKenna; and the love of his life - granddaughter Danielle Belfry of Marquette.
Services will be held at the Eden Lutheran Church in Munising on Friday, July 17, 2009. Visiting time with family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. A Memorial Service will be conducted by Rev. Ellie Russey at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery where the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors.
Memorials in memory of Bill are requested to be donated to the Eden Lutheran Church.
Retired Probate Judge, William A.Werner, age 74, of N6364 Knox Street, Munising, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, July 12, 2009. He was born on October 4, 1934 to William and Helen (Dobrzynski) Wengrzynowicz. Bill earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology and then entered into the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in November of 1957. He transferred to Mariana Air Force Base in Florida for flight training and received his pilot's license. Bill flew T-34's and T-28's. He was raised to 1st Lieutenant and served as the Assistant Provost Marshall and Base Security Officer after the Air Force closed down its training program. Bill was honorably discharged as a Captain from the U.S. Air Force. He then graduated from Wayne State University with his Law Degree in 1963 and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1964. Bill worked Corporate Law for Kelly's Services and then while visiting with friends, he fell in love with Munising. Bill served as the Alger County Prosecutor for thirteen years. He then served as Probate and Juvenile Court Judge in Alger and Schoolcraft Counties for seventeen years having taken the bench on January 1, 1983. In addition to his Probate and Juvenile Court duties, he was appointed Family Court Judge for both counties on January 1, 1998. Due to health reasons, Bill retired from the bench on February 1, 2000. He was quoted of his retirement, "I shall always be grateful to the people of Alger and Schoolcraft Counties for allowing me the opportunity and privilege to serve them as their Judge. I have always tried to be fair and objective; it has been my goal to treat people as I would want to be treated. I hope I have succeeded." Bill married Kinky (Baij) Belfry on January 31, 1976 at the Eden Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the Grand Island Masonic Lodge and Past Potentate of the Ahmed Temple Shrine. Bill was also a past member of the Alger County Historical Society, the Manistique Elks Club, and numerous law and judicial organizations. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and fishing, and Bill was a generous and kind man with a great sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife - Kinky Werner of Wetmore; children - Paul Werner of Copper Mountain, CO, Laurel (Phil) Sabon of Brighton, MI, Daniel Werner of Lansing, and Bob Belfry of Munising; grandchildren - Steven, Ryan, and McKenna; and the love of his life - granddaughter Danielle Belfry of Marquette.
Services will be held at the Eden Lutheran Church in Munising on Friday, July 17, 2009. Visiting time with family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. A Memorial Service will be conducted by Rev. Ellie Russey at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery where the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors.
Memorials in memory of Bill are requested to be donated to the Eden Lutheran Church.
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