William Carpenter

KINGSFORD - William "Bill" E. Carpenter, 78, of Kingsford, formerly of Niagara, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at his home. Bill was born on April 16, 1931, son of the late Clyde and Helen (Irwin) Carpenter. After graduating from Immaculate Heart Academy in Watertown, N.Y., he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for two years. Bill married Marjorie McGarry on Dec. 13, 1952, at Holy Family Church in Watertown, N.Y. Bill was employed for 20 years at the New York Air Brake Co. In 1971, Bill and his family moved to Niagara, after he accepted a position at Grede Foundries in Kingsford as foreman of the melting department. He eventually worked his way up to customer service representative. Bill retired in 1995, but continued working on a part-time basis for several years as a consultant at Grede. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In his early years, he played semi-professional football in New York and was also a wrestling, lacrosse and semi-pro football referee. Bill was a member of American Martyrs Catholic Church and Green Acres Golf Club. Volunteering was an important part of his life, and he dedicated countless hours working in the food pantry at St. Anthony Catholic Church and coaching football and little league baseball in Niagara. Bill enjoyed golfing, camping with family and friends and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie; seven children, Joy (Steve) Pfeffer of Verona, Wis.; Mike (Kris) Carpenter of Niagara; Amy Barglind of Kingsford; Mary (Logan) Carter of Dayton , Ohio; Peter (Tracey) Carpenter of St. Joseph, Mich.; Dave Carpenter of Portage, Wis.; and Steve Carpenter of Verona; one brother, Robert (Gerri) Carpenter of Tacoma, Wash.; one sister, Bonnie Sharlow of Watertown, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren, Heather Finley, Kelly (Kurt) Stumbris, Katie (Nate) Watrouba, Maggie Carpenter, Ben, Emma, Abby and Matthew Carpenter, Sean and Meaghan Carpenter, and Toni Carter; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; two special young men, Tony and Kurt Neuens; and his beloved dog, Spooky. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Beverly Cerow and Barbara Carr and a grandson, Patrick Pfeffer. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill's four sons, Mike Moreau, and Don Waarala. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet. Condolences to the family of William "Bill" Carpenter may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.