I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
... Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Bill Maki
September 10, 1920--September 18, 2010
William E. Maki, age 90, of Iron River, passed away Saturday, Sept., 18, 2010. William was born in Virginia, Minn. on Sept., 4, 1920 to Elias and Anna (Buskala) Maki.
He graduated from Virginia Junior College and went on to receive flight training in the Civilian Aviation Program. Following his flight training, William became an instructor at the Army Air Corp Reserve in Superior, training young pilots for WWII. On December 31, 1943, William married Florence E. Leiviska in Virginia, Minn. and together they raised three children. In 1944, William began his 36-year career as a pilot with American Airlines, retiring as a Captain in 1980. The Maki family lived in LaGrange, Ill. while spending time at their summer home on Twin Bear Lake, Iron River. William was a member of Highlands Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, Ill. He was also an active member of the Iron River Lions Club.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence, on Sept., 21, 1998.
Survivors include his three children; James Sr., of Virginia, Minn., Thomas (Susan) of Libertyville, Ill., and Susan (Martha Oie) Maki of Iron River; his brother, Ernest (Marsha) Maki of Virginia, Minn.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his beloved pets, Moose, Kikki, Riisi and Maynard.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 p.m. to the 2 p.m. memorial service Saturday, Sept., 25, in Jarvi Dowd Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Iron River City Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to the Iron River Lions Club.