William C. Whalen

Bill (Wm) Charles Whalen, age 81, of Escanaba, passed into eternal at his home on Friday, May 13, 2022 with his loving wife, Sylvia.

He was born in Detroit, MI on April 22, 1941, the only child of Charles T. and Margaret Virginia (Deskin) Whalen. Bill’s family instilled in him his lifelong love of the Catholic Church. He attended public grade school, junior and senior high school at St. Mary’s of Redford from which he graduated. Bill went on to attend the University of Detroit (a Jesuit institute at that time) and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Economics. In college, he participated in Air Force ROTC and became a lifelong member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the oldest and largest business fraternity at that time. He continued to further his training at Drew University in New Jersey in Business Accounting and Corporate Tax Laws. In Detroit, Bill worked for Ford Motor Company, Lybrand CPA’s (a top 10 firm) where he became a Senior Accountant overseeing small business and corporate tax accounts.

In his early 30s, he and his young family moved from Detroit to Traverse City, MI. In Traverse City, Bill worked in public accounting, became involved in various manufacturing and wholesale business ventures. He became a treasurer for a local oil exploration company and became their private pilot, where he gained his love of flying. Bill started the first 100% commercial real estate office and earned a prestigious Realtor of the Year award by the Traverse City Real Estate Board. He also worked at the Office Supply Warehouse and was manager for Bay City Restaurant Supply Company. He became a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus in Traverse City, MI.

In 1996, Bill and his wife, Sylvia, moved from Traverse City to Ashland, WI. In Ashland, he worked in car sales for the Ford and Chrysler dealership, accounting, and became Treasurer and Mayor for the City of Ashland. Later, he worked as the Economic Development Coordinator for the Bad River Tribe and was Media Director for H-Window Company until his retirement in September of 2021.

Bill loved life and enjoyed many hobbies including flying, boating, sailing, skiing, biking, running, walking, reading, camping, and everything computer related. He Volunteered on various boards and civic activities throughout his life. Bill was a good man and will forever be in our hearts and missed.

Bill is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sylvia of Escanaba; sons, Patrick (Denise) of Seattle, WA, and Michael of San Ranon, CA; stepson, John (Bridget) Gilligan of Traverse City, MI; stepdaughter, Nicole Gilligan of Janesville, WI; grandson, Austin Tuchalski of Traverse City, MI; granddaughter, Lillian Gilligan of Traverse City, MI; and “cat children,” Hello Kitty and Sunny Blue of Escanaba, MI.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his maternal grandmothers, Marie Trombley and Cecelia Deskin; and special aunt and uncle, Harry and Simone Deskin.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2022 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Father Fran DeGroot and Father Robb Jurkovich as the officiants. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery. The family requests donations please be directed to the Holy Name Catholic High School fund in Escanaba. 

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