William Gaffney

Bill was born on December 21, 1935, in Escanaba, MI to Clifford and Lillian Gaffney. Bill graduated from Escanaba High School with the class of 1954 and attended the University of Michigan for 1 ¢ years. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and received a Master of Arts degree in 1963.

Bill was united in marriage to Kathleen Gustafson on December 27, 1958, in Escanaba at the First Methodist Church. This past December, Bill & Kathy celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Bill taught Math, Physics and Computers at Hancock (MI) High School from 1958 to 1994 where he also worked at countless athletic events as the official scorer and timekeeper. He was a past member and officer of the Hancock Education Association and Michigan Education Association. Bill enjoyed his years teaching at Hancock High School and took pride in the successes of his former students.

Bill served on the Hancock City Council for 8 years and was the Mayor of Hancock from 1977-78. He was a past member and Exalted Ruler of the Hancock Elks Lodge. Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hancock for 50 years and served on many committees. He was a current member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Green Bay.

Bill was a devoted family man who treasured time spent with his family. He and Kathy loved camping and they enjoyed many camping trips together. Bill was an avid sports fan and especially liked to watch Green Bay Packer and Michigan Wolverine games.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathy. His five children Greg, Gary (Charlene), Jeff (Rhonda), Alan (Beth) and Jim and his grandchildren Jacob, Samuel, Noah, Tia, and Alexis. He is further survived by his brother Richard, sisters-in-law Charlotte Gomez and Dorothy (Ray) Olson, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great & great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law Albert and Evelyn Gustafson, sister-in-law Alta Gaffney, brothers-in-law Fernando Gomez and Jim Lofquist, and daughter-in-law Pauline Gaffney.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18; Memorial Service to follow at 1 p.m. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Memorial donations in honor of Bill can be made to benefit St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 341 Wilson Ave. Green Bay, WI 54303, First United Methodist Church 401 Quincy St. Hancock, MI 49930, or Unity Hospice 2366 Oak Ridge Cir. De Pere, WI 54115.