William E. Witt

He was born on June 28, 1929, in Waukegan, Illinois, a son of the late Edward and Geraldine (Morris) Witt. Bill was raised in Waukegan, and was a graduate of the Waukegan High School he then received a master’s Degree in Business Management from Lake Forest College. Mr. Witt was a veteran having served with the United States Army.

William was united in marriage to the former Betty Jane Bowman. The couple had resided in Zion, Illinois, where they had raised their family. He began his career working for International Harvester, then continued his employment for many years at Snap-on-Tools until his retirement in 1995. In retirement, the couple moved to the family cottage in Big Traverse Bay for the summers and spent many winters in Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

William was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton. He enjoyed reading, woodworking projects and working in the yard. Above all, his faith was most precious and dear to him as was his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, Neil Daavettila; his grandson, Eric Daavettila; his granddaughters, Ashley Skoog and Amanda Murray; and his great-granddaughter, Sophia Pietila.

He is surviving by his wife, Betty Jane Witt of Hancock; his children, Susan (James) Johnson of Iron Mountain, Sherry (Paul) Skoog of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Julie (Kurt) Andrews of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, Edward Witt of Chicago, Illinois, Mary (Kurt) Kangas of Chassell, Christina Daavettila of Brighton, Jeffrey Witt of Milburn, Illinois, David (Tami) Witt of Cokato, Minnesota, Cynthia (Timothy) Murray of Wadsworth, Illinois, Ruthann (Dave) Pietila of Brighton, Sarah (Rob) Gomez of Grayslake, Illinois, Katherine (Brian) Tollkinen of Delano, Minnesota, Thomas (Rachel) Witt of Cavecreek, Arizona, Melissa (Kevin) Sliva pf San Ramon, California; 75 grandchildren; 82 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

Funeral services for William will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 6, 2020, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with David Taivalkoski to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock.

Friends may call on Sunday, January 5, 2020, from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton.

To view William’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.