Ely Twp, MI- William Earl "Bill" Snell, age 76 passed away Wednesday May 3, 2023, at UP Health System Marquette after a short battle with cancer.

Bill was born January 31 ,1947 to Harry and Myrtle (Beatty) Snell in Ishpeming.

He grew up in a large family (13 kids). At the age of 17 her enlisted in the Unites States Navy and served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Randolph. He would often tell stories about the different overseas ports he visited and talk about watching the Northern Lights while standing on the deck in the North Atlantic. Toward the end of his Naval Enlistment, while in Memphis, TN he would meet Barbara who would go on to be his wife of over 57 years.

After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Bill moved back to Marquette County with Barb and began to start a family. He worked at the Cliff Dow Charcoal Plant in Marquette for a short time before being hired at CCI where he would go on to retire after 30 plus years.

In his younger years he loved to deer hunt and bird hunt. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan but always said he would root for the Packers to win unless they were playing his Cowboys. He would happily lend a hand to anybody that needed it. In his later years when he wasn't watching a Western, he was riding up and down his road in his golf cart looking for someone to B.S. with and maybe have a cup of coffee.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years Barbara, 3 sons; Kenneth (Kathy) Snell of Champion, Doug (Jolene) Snell of Eveleth, MN and Matthew (Maria) Snell of Palmer, 2 brothers; Joe (Memory) Snell and Larry Snell both of Ishpeming, 4 sisters; Shirley (Carl) Dehner, Marcy Treloar and Myrtle Hautamaki of Ishpeming, and Nancy (Tony) Misale of Chicago, grandchildren; Kurtis, Megan, Jordyn, Steven, Cameron, Kalli, Isabelle, Abbi, Tori and Mackenzie and great granddaughters Melanie and Violet, along with many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Carol, Clara, Ida, Ruby and Lois and his brother Harry.

Upon Bill's wishes no services will be held, but a Celebration of Life for Bill will be held at a later date.

Bill's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com.