Obituary: William Sewell

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

William “Bill” Clyde Sewell, 84, a resident of Houghton, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delbert and Walter and a sister Nancy.

He is survived by his sons Andrew (Elizabeth Simoneau) of Columbus, OH and Michael (Kathy Johnson) of Wausau, WI. Bill is further survived by his grandson, Ian of Columbus, OH, a sister, Ruth of Canon City, CO, and his life-partner Ruth Robertson of Kansas City, MO and Houghton and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill was a Professor Emeritus at Michigan Technological University, having taught philosophy there from 1972 until 2004. He was active in many community organizations. He served on the Hancock Planning Commission and the City Charter Commission.

Bill was a den leader and then cub master for Hancock Cub Scout Pack 207 and later was an assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster for Hancock Boy Scout Troop 207. He served as president of the Hancock Lions Club, president of the board of Portage Lake Hospice, and the first president of the board at The Omega House. He also served on the board for the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home for Abused Women. Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959. He earned is B.A. in Philosophy from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville in 1965 and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1975.

Bill was a volunteer for Keweenaw Home Nursing, Portage Lake Hospice, Omega House and Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly with friends Scott Rutherford and Ray Weglarz who helped to initiate the effort to build the Omega House. He was awarded the National Hospice Organization’s Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Bill loved a good joke. Those who knew him well will remember him for his compassion and his sense of humor.

Per Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be planned for in the spring of 2022.

To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.