William "Bill" Lee Zimmerman

William (Bill) Lee Zimmerman, 83, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2016 in Petoskey, with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born in Petoskey, Michigan on September 12, 1932 to Harley Roy and Mary Alta Zimmerman. He grew up in Kegomic and attended Petoskey Public Schools, graduating in 1950.  Upon his graduation from high school, Bill entered the United States Army and served honorably in Korea as a part of the 555th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team.

Upon his return from Korea, Bill met Mary Ann Hausler from Boyne Falls, Michigan.  They married on October 29, 1955, and raised two children while living in Boyne Falls for over 50 years.

Bill worked as a mason and carpenter for many years.  He loved to fish and was an avid golfer, spending many joyous hours on the greens.  During his years residing in Boyne Falls, Bill served as a councilman for the Village of Boyne Falls, as well as a Trustee for the Boyne Falls United Methodist Church where he was a member.

His grandchildren were a source of pride, and they all looked forward to hours spent with Grandpa Bill.  With a twinkle in his eye, he regaled them with silly songs and brought them endless laughter with his stories and jokes.

Surviving Bill are his wife Mary Ann, his children Michael (Emma) Zimmerman and Rhonda (Keith) Welcher, grandchildren Cathy (Ryan) Gendreau, Aaron Zimmerman, Elyse (Jacob) Vroon, and Camille Welcher; great grandchildren Zachary and Amelia; and his sister, Nancy (Norm) Dunham.

The Zimmerman family will honor Bill’s life with a memorial service on Saturday, May 7th at the Boyne Falls United Methodist Church.  The service will be at 10:30 a.m.  The church will be open to receive flowers at 8:30 a.m. the day of the service.  The family requests that any memorial contributions in lieu of flowers be made to the Boyne Falls United Methodist Church.

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