William "Bill" Aborn Lenau

William “Bill” Aborn Lenau passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026. He was comforted in his final moments by the presence of his beloved “grandgirl”, Raisa.

Born in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, on August 9, 1930, the son of William Albert Lenau and Martha (Holmstrom) Lenau. He spent his formative years along the Rhode Island coastline, digging clams with his mother and sailing Narragansett Bay. His lifelong passion for the water began when he purchased his first sailboat at the age of 14 and loved nothing more than being on the water.

Bill graduated from Nelson W. Aldrich High School in 1948, and shortly thereafter, went to work at the Conifer Lumber Mills in Conifer, NY.  In 1953 he attended John W. McClure School of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and became a certified lumber inspector.  After, Bill worked for Fentress & Co. until he began brokering lumber, starting his first portable hardwood sawmill in 1969.

Starting in 1974 with Quality Hardwoods, Bill went on to eventually own and operate 3 sawmills, adding Paris Sawmill and Silver Leaf Sawmill all within the state of Michigan. After retiring at age 72 he remained deeply active in mentoring and providing financial backing to friends and local young entrepreneurs. He generously supported numerous local nonprofits with contributions that benefited organizations such as Manna, Habitat for Humanity, the Petoskey Band Summer Camp, and several other initiatives dedicated to boys' homes.

When he wasn’t charting the open waters to ports near and far, his favorite place was on Beaver Island where he spent many hours sitting on the dock and the front porch of the King Strang Hotel Club watching the boats coming and going throughout the harbor. If you found him there, he was most likely enjoying a Manhattan, a slice of blueberry pie, or a chocolate chip cookie that he insisted on being extra crispy. Bill will be missed by many including his closest friends Miles, Dick, Dave, Jon and Tim.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Barbara, sons Peter, Stephen and daughter Mary. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Connie Lenau, sons: David Lenau and Bernie Lenau. Stepdaughters: Tiffany Lenau and Dana Bolton and much-loved family dog Bruno. Bill was a proud grandfather of 19 and a great grandfather to 26.

A celebration of life will take place on August 8th, on the waters of Little Traverse Bay where Bill requested to be on the water forever.