William Kinjorski

William was born on October 15, 1962, in Hillsdale, MI to the late Wayne and Jane (Berry) Kinjorski.

Bill attended Hillsdale High School where he broke several cross-country running records. He was senior class president, winning the Turner Cup prestigious senior award in 1980.

After graduating from Hillsdale High School, Bill attended Northern Michigan University and studied English and History. He worked as a sports journalist for the Northwind and wrote the Whites Party Store Grapevine column in the Marquette Mining Journal, all while living and working in every corner of Marquette. After college, his pursuit of the outdoors led him to be a lighthouse keeper in Michigan’s Apostle Islands. In the late 90s, he worked for the National Park service as an Isle Royale Interpretive Park Ranger.

In 2002 Bill opened the Big Bay Outfitters inside the old township hall that housed two intact jail cells. He managed the successful business for 15 years, renting and selling canoes and kayaks, fishing gear, artwork- everything under the sun. He served on the Powell Township School Board and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve Board for several years. He coached middle school track while his son Thomas was on the team.

Bill was a man of the woods and water and lived to paddle, hunt, fish and hike. He was able and willing to converse with anyone and developed many lifelong connections through long conversations. He was an avid reader and kept a well-traveled personal journal.

Bill is survived by his son Thomas, his longtime partner, Kristi Mills of Marquette, sisters Patti (Bob) Gerbig of Lake Linden, MI and Susan (Jim) Replogle of Manistique, MI, several nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles.

A visitation for Bill will be held on April 11 at 1pm with a memorial service afterward at Fausett Funeral Homes in Manistique Michigan.

A celebration of his life in Big Bay Michigan will be held May 1, 2026.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, PO Box 5, Big Bay, MI 49808.

Fausett Family Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.