Ishpeming Twp.- V. William "Bill" Kangas, age 91, longtime Ishpeming Township resident passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020 at UP Health System Marquette.

Bill was born in Hearst, Ontario, Canada on June 29, 1928, a son of the late Suoma L. and Herman Kangas. He graduated from Sault Ste Marie Technical High School in Soo, Canada.  Bill moved to the US in 1960 and met and married his wife Lucy (Salminen) and together raised their 2 children.

Bill worked in the mining industry for many years, beginning at the Tracey Mine and retired as a geologist from Cleveland Cliffs Research Lab in 1993.

Bill was a volunteer at the Ishpeming Credit Union (TruNorth) for 28 years, where he served as chairman of the Supervisory Committee, and a volunteer at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum.  He was a board member of the Ishpeming Commission on Aging, and a member of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club.  Bill was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan.

Bill is  survived by a daughter, Karen Gonzalez, of West Allis, WI, 3 grandchildren: Alex Gonzalez, Kyle Kangas, and Katie Kangas,  daughter in law Jackie (Kari) Kangas of Tulsa, OK, the Siltanen family in Canada, sisters in law,  Lynn (John) Nardi, and Lori Napierala, along with nieces and nephews.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lucy and a son Christopher.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday January 10, 2020 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home 400 N. Third St. in Ishpeming.

In lieu of flowers memorials in memory of Bill may be directed to the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum 501 W. Euclid St. Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Bill's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.