Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
William “Bill” F. Degowski, 64, a resident of Copper Harbor, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 2, 2018.
He was born on May 10, 1954 in Detroit to Joseph and Elizabeth (Kozlowski) Degowski.
He attended the local Detroit area schools and graduated with the Class of 1972.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, especially deer, bird, and coyote. He was a member of the Lake Linden Hubbell Sportsmans Club, Pheasants Forever, and the UP Whitetails Association. Along with his membership to the Sportsmans Club, Bill was an active member in helping to protect the deer population in the Keweenaw by raising money and working with state and local officials.
He was a member of the Copper Harbor Birding. He also enjoyed bird watching and educationing his customers on the migrating birds of the Keweenaw. You could often find Bill, watching the hawks and the eagles up on Brockway Mountain.
In 1996, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Silance in the Keweenaw.
In 2001, he and his wife, Bonnie purchased the Tamarack Inn located in Copper Harbor.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Degowski, and his step-daughter, Becky Sharp.
His is survived by:
His wife: Bonnie of Copper Harbor
His daughters:
Sarah Degowski of St. Claire Shores
Julie (Keith) Swartz of Fenton
His step daughter:
Amy (Russ) Bengry of Eagle Harbor
His grandchildren: Ava Kelly and Brodie Licata
His brother: Gregory (Ida) Degowski of Detroit
His special cousin: Tom (Jane) Kozlowski of Roscommon
And numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral service for Bill will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Deacon Art Stancher to officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home and on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 12:00 until the time of the service at 1:00.
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.
