William "Bill" McKinley Mazzali

Munising

William “Bill” McKinley Mazzali, age 81, of Munising died under the care of his family and hospice on Saturday afternoon, July 2, 2016 in Owosso, Michigan.  He was born on July 16, 1934 in Munising, Michigan to the late William “Shorty” and Alice (Bowerman) Mazzali.  Bill grew up in Munising and graduated as Valedictorian of Mather High School’s Class of 1952.  He married Geraldine “Gerry” Monette in December of 1953.  Bill studied Economics, History, and Political Science at Northern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Bill taught school in Munising from 1956 until 1961.  He then went to work for the Prudential Insurance Company as an agent and manager.  Bill started Mazzali Agency, Inc. in 1974 and served the community with Property, Casualty, Life, and Health Insurance coverages.  He retired from insurance in 2001.

Throughout the years, Bill was active with partnerships that include The Informer, Leach’s Bar and Family Restaurant, Mr. B’s Restaurant, and Munising Grandview, Inc.  He served as a member of the Regional Board of Directors of First of America Bank, Past Co-Chairman of the Marquette County Red Cross, Past Trustee of the Munising School District Board of Education, Past City Commissioner for the City of Munising, Past Director of the Alger County Historical Society and Past Chairman of the Alger County EDC, Alger County Prison Task Force Committee, Downtown Development Committee, and the Alger County Republican Committee where he also served as Secretary.  Bill was a member and Past Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Munising.  He was an active member of the F. & A.A.M. Grand Island Lodge # 422, the Francis M. Moore Consistory, Ahmed Shrine Temple, Past Potentate of the Ahmed Temple in 1988, Past President of the Jesters of Michigan in 1992, and a member of Court #180 Jesters of Michigan.

Bill enjoyed woodworking, home remodeling, reading, and staying up to date on political affairs.

He is survived by his wife of over sixty-two years -  Gerry; daughters – Deborah Mazzali of Owosso, MI and Lisa Swanberg of Albuquerque, NM; son –  Tony (Pam) Mazzali of Haslett, MI;  grandchildren – Lauren Curtis, John St. Martin, Miles Methot, Alex Jones, Jaycee Swanberg, Crystal Cawley, Geno Mazzali, Travis and Charlotte Mazzali, and Dominic, Vincent, Anthony II, and Vivian Sue Mazzali; great grandchildren; brother – Charles Mazzali of Munising; sister – Norma (William) Heninger of Munising; sister-in-law - Phyllis Baij of Munising; brother-in-law – Dick Froberg of Munising; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sons - Michael in 1985, William “Mac” in 2003, and Charles “Chuck” in 2012; grandson - Anthony Mazzali; granddaughter - Michael Corbet; and sisters -  Billie Mazzali and Betty Geary; sisters-in-law - Grace Mazzali and Arlene Froberg; and brothers-in-law – Austin Geary and Hans Baij.

Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel.  A Grand Island Masonic service will begin at 3:00 and Pastor Jim Robb will conduct Bill’s memorial service following the Masonic service.  Interment will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.

Memorials in Bill’s name may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 217, Munising or the Grand Island Masonic Lodge, 228 W. Onota Street, Munising.