Ishpeming – William J. Lauer, age 89, of 408 Jasper St., Ishpeming passed away on Friday may 4, 2018 at his home, while under the loving care of his daughter Lynette and much help from Ty and Denise Hyatt along with U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Bill was born August 10, 1928 in Pine City, MN the son of the late Louis and Clara (Whiting) Lauer.  He grew up in Pine City, MN where he worked on the railroad, He later moved to Duluth, MN and had worked on numerous construction projects.  Bill moved to Ishpeming 50 years ago and was employed at Capp Homes doing home construction and roofing.  He then went on to work for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. as a truck driver for 23 years, at the Republic and Tilden Mines where he was known as "Billy Buck" and retired in 1991.

Bill married Marlene Ayotte in 1977 and they resided in Green Creek for more than 30 years.  They both worked hard in their gardens and canned what they grew.  In the early years they enjoyed traveling the country on their Goldwing motorcycle visiting family and friends. Bill had been a very proud member of AA since 1974.  He enjoyed hunting, stream fishing for trout and had a great love for rabbit hunting with Ron and Al using his 22 revolver.

Survivors include his daughters – Lorraine Cowling and Lynette Davis both of Ishpeming, Patricia (Cliff) Smith of Wylie, TX and Pamela (Scott) Peters of Munising; step-children – Alan Ayotte, Cheryl "Cheri" Martin, "Cher" Niemi and John Bowman; sister Bernice Murphy of Cambridge, MN; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Marlen Lauer on May 25, 2017, infant son Terrance J. Lauer, great grandson Cody Heikkila, step-son Terry Ayotte, sister Vi Stockdill, and brothers – Ernest "Bud" and Delbert Lauer.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 4 - 6pm at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home, with funeral services following at 6:00pm with Pastor Lew Pizzala to officiate.  Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Family and Friends are invited to continue celebrating Bill's life at the Red Rock Lanes and Banquet Center, 1011 North Rd., Ishpeming, MI following his services, where a meal will be served.

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

Bill's funeral service recording may be listened to here .