William Cyril Maccani

DEERFIELD, Wis. - William Cyril Maccani, 90, died on March 24, 2016, in Deerfield with his daughter at his side after a short illness.

He was born in Bessemer, Mich., on March 13, 1926, to Joseph Cyrillo and Theresa (Proft) Maccani. He grew up in Bessemer and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific in World War II aboard the heavy cruiser USS St. Paul. At the end of the war they were attached to the same battlegroup as the USS Missouri and were present in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.

On May 5, 1947, he married the love of his life Jeanne Ardith Ellsworth in Crystal Falls, Mich. They had four children. She preceded him in death on February 14, 2007.

Bill was a Bessemer area business man. He owned, in partnership with his uncle and brother, the 3B's Grocery Store in Bessemer for several years. He then was employed by White Pine Mine in White Pine, Mich., where he was the smelter foreman.

In the mid 60's, Bill built and ran Bluffs View Motel in Bessemer. He worked at the mine during the day, but he was always ready to get up at night to take care of motel business.

When he retired from the mine and sold the motel in the late 1980's, he bought a cottage in Mercer where he and his wife spent their summers. Family visited often. They wintered in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Bill and Jeanne also were foster parents to many troubled and disadvantaged children for several years.

Bill was very civic minded and served Bessemer in many ways. He was a councilman for many years and also was the mayor of Bessemer. He was a member of the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce, and coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for many years. He was a member of Christ Community Seventh Day Adventist Church, Bessemer.

Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and spent many weekends in the woods. He passed this love to the next generations.

A quote by Benjamin Franklin characterizes Bill best: "If you want something done, ask a busy person." Bill was always busy, his work ethic was to be admired, and he always did the job right.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bernard Maccani; his wife; and several aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his children, Diane (Randy) Petersen, Bessemer, William L. (Diane) Maccani, Bessemer, Sherri (Steve) Sterling, Deerfield, and Brett Maccani, Buchanan, Mich .; his grandchildren, Rebecca Petersen, Jim Petersen, William K. (Gina) Maccani, Robin (Brad) Nezworski, Mark Maccani, Heidi (Tim) King, Jack Maccani, Rhiannon (Mike) Zivin, Ryan (Natalie) Sterling and Sophia Maccani; and his great-grandchildren, Levi Blankenbeker, William Cody and Madilyn Maccani, Austin, Ty, and Haley Nezworski, Huston, King, Derek and Alexander Zivin, and David Sterling.

The family held a 90th Birthday Party for Bill on his birthday, March 13. He truly enjoyed the day and loved having his family together. Everyone took away great memories.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 1, at 10 a.m. at Sharon Lutheran Church, Bessemer. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, Bill would be pleased if you would like to make a donation to the Bluff View Christian School, Bessemer, Michigan, The Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrooke Court, South Bend, IN 46637, a Hospice of your choice, or the American Cancer Society.