William Sayen
SALEM, OR – William Joseph Sayen, 78, died at his home in Salem, Oregon, on September 15, 2023. Bill died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes. He was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin on December 6, 1944, to the late Joseph Eugene Sayen and June Bertha Sayen (Stoffel). Bill spent most of his childhood in Oregon and Michigan, joined by older brother Ron (Margaret), and younger brothers Mike (Sue), Joe (Cathe), and Chris (Gina), as well as aunts Connie Floriani (Don) and Nancy Twardzik (Ken). He was a 1963 graduate of Hancock Central High School.
Bill married Lois Trevathan in March 1962, and divorced in 1969. They had five children; son Tim (Celeste), daughter Terry Reaume (Alan), daughter Tammy Wulterkens (Roger), daughter Tracey Young (Bruce), and son Todd. Bill married Mary Martin in April 1973. They had two children; sons Nick (Laura) and Andy. He is survived by 21 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.
Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army in August, 1970. He saw extensive combat in Vietnam as a member of a reconnaissance platoon. Bill was honorably discharged in February 1972, having been awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Bill was hired by North Central Airlines in August 1963. His career spanned Republic and Northwest Airlines, and stops in eight cities before spending the last decade in Missoula, Montana, retiring in 2005.
Bill loved spending time outdoors with friends and family, especially hunting and fishing in the mountains, streams, and lakes of Wisconsin, Colorado, Western Montana, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He was a Packer Shareholder, and lifelong fan.
Bill was preceded in death by his son Andy in 2020.
The family is planning a celebration of life for the spring of 2024.