William Person

KINGSFORD- William J. Person, 82, of 208 Lane Ave. Kingsford, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain. William was born Jan. 20, 1925 in Iron Mountain, son of the late Oscar and Leona (Manley) Person. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1943 and was a lifelong resident of the area. William was a U.S. Air Force veteran of WWII serving with the 791st squadron of the 467th bomber group and obtaining the rank of sergeant. He was wounded over Lille, France, on Aug. 3, 1944, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Caterpillar Club because of an emergency parachute jump he made over England from the crippled B-24. William married Dorothy Eckelaert on June 7, 1947, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Iron Mountain. William worked at the Niagara Paper Mill for 39 years, retiring in 1987. William and Dorothy lived on Lake Elwood in Florence,Wis., for many years until moving to Kingsford three years ago. They enjoyed traveling and spent 15 winters at Feather Rock mobile home park in Valrico, Fla. William was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, a 50-year member of the Florence Masonic Lodge, and a life member of the Florence VFW and the Disabled American Veterans in Iron Mountain. He enjoyed spending time with his family and summers at Lake Elwood. William is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy; three daughters, Catherine (Thomas) Bornfleth of Green Bay,Wis., Rhonda (Wesley) Peters of Knoxville, Tenn., and Jaye (Dr. Jeffrey) Carroll of Berlin, Wis.; two sons, Kurt (Ramona) Person of Spread Eagle and Ross (Katie) Person of Hobe Sound, Fla.; brother-in-law, Jack (Sandy) Eckelaert of Sun City, Fla.; sister-in-law, Dru (Norman) Meidl of Ft. Meyers, Fla.; 13 grandchildren, Chad (Brenda) Bornfleth, Jon (Ellisha) Bornfleth, Amanda (Steve) Sheedy, Joshua (Rebecca) Thomas, Kelly and Nathan Thomas, Dana (Victor) Laws, Katie and Ryan Carroll, Brad, Kyle and Zachary Person, and Cody Person; three great grandsons, Micah and Caleb Bornfleth and Austin Laws; four step-grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Leona Person; a brother, Halvar; a sister-in-law, Grace Person and a son-in-law, Frank "Bo" Thomas. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. The Florence Masonic Lodge will conduct memorial services at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Fr. Charles Piper will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 will conduct military graveside honors. Pallbearers will be William's grandsons. A memorial has been established at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family of William Person online at http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements. The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful staff at the V.A. Hospital 6th floor for their kind and compassionate care.

William Person

February 16, 1925 - February 16, 2007