William James Nowicki, passed away on May 7, 2022. Bill, or Jim as he was known in his hometown of Rogers City.
He was born to Philip and Louise (Kierzek) Nowicki on June 19, 1932, in Rogers City, Michigan.
He met his wife, Lavina Ruhala, in 1974 thru his cousin, Trudy, who was a tenant of a friend of hers. He proposed to Lavina with a large amethyst rock (kept on the mantle), and they married in 1976.
Bill grew up helping out in the family store with his brothers Phil and Bob, he played football in high school. He and a cousin helped catch a pair of WW II spies (curious youths lead to breaking German spy ring story #38; The Petoskey News-Review), later he joined the Army. After his military career, he worked in maintenance at US Plywood (Georgia-Pacific) for many decades.
Bill was known to have a huge interest in rocks and stones and had a workshop in the basement of the home he designed where he would polish, cut, and make jewelry. He would entertain visitors with his knowledge of geology. He was a do-it-yourselfer and built the plans for their home entirely and added the back deck and 3-level terrace himself. He also built the car-top carrier and shelving system for his truck for their yearly journeys to the Upper Peninsula to hit the old gold mines and lakeshores hunting for agates, greenstone, and copper.
Bill was always doing something whether fiddling with his rocks or in the yard or garden, playing cards with Lavina, friends, and family, drawing, reading, or snoozing in his recliner.
Lavina passed in 2007 and Bill sold the house.
A couple of years later he came together with Marjorie, who had recently lost her husband (ironically, Bill and Marjorie, with their spouses, sat near each other in church for years). They married in 2007. Together they weathered the difficulties of the golden years with her family and birds.
Bill was a one-of-a-kind man, very intelligent, strong in his ways and beliefs, and loved by family and friends. He had a good soul and a kind heart. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lavina; parents, and brothers, Philip II (Anna Maria) and Robert (Susan).
He is survived by his awesome wife, Marjorie, and her wonderful children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; daughter, Joyce (John)Trembath; granddaughter, Jerica Sue Ruhala-Trembath; nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Memorials can be made in his name to Hospice of Michigan in lieu of flowers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral, 606 N. Ohio Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735. Visitation will begin at the church starting at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
9 comments on “William J. Nowicki”
Joyce, so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a wonderful man and former neighbor. We enjoyed him and your Mother for many years before her passing. After she passed Bill and I shared some interesting conversations while taking some walks around the neighborhood. We were sad when he sold the house and moved but happy when he found happiness with his new family. I still have and use an item that I purchased at his garage sale. Nice to have a reminder of him and it makes me think of him often. Vaughn and I were just speaking of him the other day and wondering how he was doing. May this wonderful man Rest In Peace!
Thank you so much! Dad cherished those days with the Knollwood families. I’m glad to hear you have a little piece of him. Blessed be! ❤️
Joyce,
So very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. May your cherished memories of him and your Mom, bring you and your family comfort.
We think of you with great fondness.
Love,
Sharon and Wayne
Thank you! I loved my Dad. He took up a heavy yoke when he married Mom, becoming my father. We grew up together, you could say. He became the best Daddy a girl could ask for. I’m glad you remembered him. Blessed be!❤️
Rest In Peace, my Union Brother.
Lavina and Bill both were so important to our lives when we lived across the street at Knollwood. They were like grandparents to my children and helped me through a painful time in my life. Bill sponsored my son’s confirmation. I’ll always cherish their memories.
My husband worked with Bill for years and I worked with Vi. Both were special people! Two of the kindest people I’ve known. RIP Bill. I’m sure Vi was waiting for you with her big smile and twinkle in her eye.
Mary Evans
They loved you and the kids. They talked a lot about your Janis Joplin impersonation. Your family filled a little gap that was there because mine lived in Mt Pleasant and couldn’t afford to travel much. I’ve always appreciated that. Blessed be!
Thank you Mary!