Warren Joseph Pollard

Warren Joseph (Joe) Pollard, 85, of Iron Mountain, passed away on April 23rd in Florida where he had a winter home. He was born and raised in Iron Mountain to Wilmer Joseph and Margaret Pollard. Joe began working for the Wisconsin Michigan Power company at age 16 and was a loyal company man until he retired after 46 years. A hard worker, he proudly shared his stories of restoring people’s lights despite horrible weather conditions. At his retirement party, he treated all in attendance by singing the Reddy Kilowatt jingle. Joe married his high school sweetheart, Sharon R Wills, in 1952, and they were married for 66 years before she passed away in 2018. After raising 5 children and becoming empty nesters, they wintered in Florida, traveled, and enjoyed countless visits with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They especially enjoyed their time at camp. Joe took great pride in grooming his lawn to a park-like appearance and mowing a wonderful wide path for the family to enjoy walks. Joe and Sharon meticulously made ongoing improvements that would ensure the camp’s lasting strength for years to come for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom cherish this peaceful, beautiful escape to nature. Together, they enjoyed hours and hours of fishing from their boat on the beautiful rivers and lakes in the area. Joe was a great golfer and enjoyed golfing in both Michigan and Florida. Joe proudly proclaimed that he was “loquacious,” always crediting Sharon for knowing big words. He was also very proud of his grandchildren’s efforts to show him how much they loved him, including making special visits (often with great-grandchildren in tow), taking rides on his tractor and performing other chores at camp, and even hand-writing out the words to one of his favorite songs, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. He loved to share his rendition by often singing it anywhere for friends, as well as for his family around their campfire. Joe often said that he “never met a stranger.” This statement was never more evident than by the lasting friendship that was formed over a gas pump. During a drive to Montana with Sharon, he stopped to pump gas and in chatting with the man on the other side of the pump, discovered that they too were heading to Montana. Bidding each other safe travels, they continued on their way. When they stopped for dinner, who should they happen upon but the gas pump guy and his wife! They joined each other for dinner, found out that they had both been linemen, and were great friends for many years. Joe recently told a dear friend that when his time came, he would be able to say that he had had a good life. And he did. He is survived and loved by his sister Anne (Robert) Knox and brother Frank (Diane) Pollard; his children Lynda (Deb) Pollard-Baker of Hersey MI, Peggy (Steve) Miller of Oswego IL, Sharyl Pollard of Lakeland FL, and Todd (Marilyn) Pollard of O’Fallon IL; 8 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Justin Miller, daughter Mary Ellen Waligora, and his best friend and wife, Sharon. Family graveside services will be held at a late date. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Joe Pollard online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Warren Joseph Pollard

March 29, 1935 - April 23, 2020