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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
William “Bill” Zei, 79, a resident of Laurium passed away on Monday November 11, 2019 at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.
He was born on July 14, 1940 in Laurium to Armando and Eleanor (Dimmer) Zei. He attended the local schools and graduated from Calumet High School with the Class of 1958. Following high school Bill began working with UPPCO as a meter reader, he retired in 1996. After retiring from UPPCO Bill worked for Calumet Township, Calumet Village, and Laurium Village with their Department of Public Works.
Bill was an active member of the Laurium Fire Department for 43 years, retiring in 2006. Bill was also a recipient of the Copper Country Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year.
Bill was an avid musician. He loved to play the piano, guitar, accordion, and played the Tuba while in the high school band. He loved operating heavy equipment and enjoyed moving snow and dirt. He had a large collection of antique toy trucks.
On April 20, 1963 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Lutz at St. John Catholic Church in Calumet.Bill was currently a member of the Sacred Heart Church where he served as an usher and sang in the funeral choir, and had been past president of the Parish Council; National Catholic Society of Foresters (Court #517); Laurium Fire Department; Copper Country Firefighters Museum Board; the Skinny Club; and the Italian Lodge.
He is survived by:
His wife: Betty of Laurium
his son: David (Judy) Zei of Houghton
His daughter: Debra Zei of Houghton
His grandson: Michael Adler of Stanford University
His Aunt: Jean Gray of St. Louis
And several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday November 18, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Church in Calumet with Father Corbin Eddy to officiate and Deacon Art Stancher to assist. Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home on Sunday November 17, 2019 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A parish prayer service will be held on Sunday November 17, 2019 at 6:45.
A graveside service will be held on Friday June 12, 2020 at 11:00 am in Section AA of the Lake View Cemetery with Father Corbin Eddy to officiate.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
