William “Bill” R. Howe, age 93, of 801 South 13th Street in Escanaba, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 13, 1923 in Lusk, Wyoming, the son of Burton and Ruth (Steele) Howe. Bill grew up in Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1941. He attended college at Michigan State University until the start of World War II. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 16, 1942 until he was honorably discharged on March 31, 1946. He married the former Lily Peterson on August 10, 1945 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Together, the couple shared 71 years of marriage. Following the service, Bill continued his education at the University of Michigan where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and also his Master’s Degree in Forestry. He began his career in Manistique and later moved to Escanaba where he was employed at Escanaba Paper Company until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Escanaba Country Club, Bethany Lutheran Church, and past member of the Elks Lodge #354. 

William R. Howe is survived by wife, Lily of Escanaba; son, David (Patti) Howe of Fort Myers, FL; two grandchildren, Thomas (Kim) Howe and Liza (Mike) Safford; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Beth Langley of Las Vegas, NV. 

In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by son, Bill, Jr. on February 20, 2017; sister, Marge; and brother, Richard. 

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military Honors will be conducted at 2:45 p.m., Friday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Delta County Veteran’s Council. Funeral services celebrating the life of William will follow at 3:00 p.m., Friday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dean Peterson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba or the Salvation Army. 

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