Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

William Keith Selin

KEWASKUM, Wis. - William Keith Selin, known to most as "Billy" or "Big Bill," born on Sept. 6, 1946, in Bessemer, Mich., passed away peacefully, in his home on his favorite barstool, with his beloved, cherished wife, Joan Selin, at his side, on Monday, Dec. 11, in Kewaskum.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Billy spent some of the early years of his life of love and happiness with Joan, jumping out of airplanes, keeping his head low, and being committed to getting back to make one final jump into her arms. Married on Oct. 21, 1969, Billy spent the next 47 years enjoying life to its absolute fullest, with Joan always at his side, and raising his three children, Mark (DeDe) Selin, Paul (Sarah Jones) Selin, and Elizabeth (Ty) Peterson.

He was truly one of a kind. To know him, for even a moment, was to truly love him. A heart so big, he always put family and friends first; a laugh so hearty, he always left a room filled with happiness; a mind so sharp, he had a story for every situation; an eye so keen, he never bought a thing that wasn't a "good deal;" and a heart so absolutely big, he left us all before we could tell him the impact, touch, and love he created everywhere he went.

Billy had an infectious passion and excitement for everything he did in life. Whether it was working in the machine tool business for 40-plus years, outdoors hunting or fishing, finding the truly perfect bourbon Manhattan, or taking another travel adventure with his adored Joanie, Billy was always someone you wanted around. Yet, it was never about the money he made, the fish he caught, or the sites he saw. For Billy, it was always about the people he was with, the people he would meet, when they would meet again, and where he and Joan would go next.

Billy loved life, mostly because of the people he filled it with. While he gets to meet up with some great friends and family that went before him, he is survived by his wife and three kids, but also by his 10, truly loved, grandchildren, Eliana (18), Evan (16), Veda (14), Ava (14), Stella (12), Emmett (11), Isaac (10), Oliver (9), Simon (8), and Amelia (2). He took tremendous pride in watching them play their sports, pianos, violins and trumpets. He was never happier than when the entire family was gathered close, at a Sunday family dinner, at the lake for the summer, or around the Christmas tree. And he loved his friends, and their entire families. Whether it was coffee, lunch, dinner, walleye fishing, ice fishing, deer hunting, a cold beer, a bourbon, a cocktail, a laugh, a smile, a giant hug, Billy was a man who made a memory for everyone he met - a man who will be missed deeply - a man who will be remembered, always.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Drive, in West Bend. The visitation will be held at the funeral home on prior to the service from 3 until 6 p.m.