William Etelamaki

Billy was born July 25, 1940 in Negaunee, Michigan at the Twin City Hospital.

Billy struggled with encephalitis following the measles when he was 3 1/2 years old. After 20+ brain convulsions, he was left with very limited capabilities (could not walk, talk, or feed himself), some of which he recovered over time while others he did not. Billy went to Central Grade School beginning when he was eight and progressing through the 6th grade.

When the new Russo Bros Grocery Store was completed in downtown Negaunee, Billy started helping at the store and continued that role for over 30 years. Billy’s family wishes to publicly thank the Russo brothers and the people of Negaunee for providing Billy the opportunity to become a useful member of the community.

After Billy’s father passed away and his mother was in a nursing home, he moved into the Lakeview Apartments for a few years and then to the Mather Nursing Home and most recently to the Marquette County Medical Care Facility.

Billy loved country music, the Detroit Lions and Tigers, working on his computer, and telling jokes. One of his favorite expressions when greeting someone was, “Been behavin’?” One of his favorite jokes was “Where does a Finlander wear his hat?” Answer: “On-te-nogin.”

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother David; two sisters-in-law: Sandra and Suzanne Etelamaki; and a nephew, Jeffery Ranta.

He is survived by his sister, Gloria Ranta (Marvin), brother Robert (Carol), and nieces and nephews: Scott (Lisa), Craig (Jackie), Darren (Beth), Kenneth, and Bryan Etelamaki, Rojean (Ted) Thomas, John (Anna) Ranta and Marria Hernandez-Chacon (Mynor, deceased).

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, Sept 7th at Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church with Rev. Dale Niskanen officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. A luncheon will follow provided by Mama Russo’s Catering. Interment will be private at the Negaunee Cemetery. The service will be live streamed on Facebook at the Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church website and will remain active for a time after the service. Billy’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.