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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
William J. Bykkonen of Calumet passed on January 19, 2022.
Bill was born on June 12, 1935 in Phoenix, MI to William and Beatrice (Hoffenbecker) Bykkonen.
On April 25, 1964 he was united in marriage to Doroth Gawronski in Detroit, MI.
Bill attended grade school in Eagle River, MI and graduated from Calumet High School in 1953. He worked in construction and for C&H as a miner for several years. In 1965 he began as a delivery route man for Jilbert Dairy in Calumet. In 1977 he became a distributor for Copper Country Dairy in Dollar Bay until they closed in 1985. He then became a distributor for Jilbert Dairy in Marquette. In 1990 he turned the business over to his brother Ronald and worked for him until he retired in 1994.
Bill served with Co. A 107th engineers of the Michigan National Guard in Calumet and retired with honors in 1977 after 25 years of service.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and gardening.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, sisters Darlene Rastello and Betty Marquardt, sister-in-law Arlene Bykkonen, and brothers-in-law Peter Rastello and Lyle Peterson.
He is survived by brothers Robert Bykkonen, Dennis (Nancy) Bykkonen, and Ronald Bykkonen, sisters Arbutus Peterson and Shelby (Roger) Riddell, and brother-in-law Hal Marquardt. He is also survived by several special nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Gardenview Assisted Living and Memory Care, Greentree of Hubbell and Aspirus Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care of Bill.
Private burial will be held in the spring at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.
In his memory it was his wish that contributions be made to the Salvation Army.
