William Latvala

Obituary of William Latvala Dollar Bay William W. "Bill" Latvala, 74, of Dollar Bay, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at his home with his family by his side. Bill was born August 2, 1940, at the Trimountain Hospital to Niilo and Helen (Westerberg) Latvala. Bill graduated from the Houghton High School in 1958. In 1959, he enlisted in the United States Army & discharged in 1961. He was so proud to have served his country. On August 22, 1964, he married Kay Beiswanger (always) referring to her as "My Bride" at the St. Joseph St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hancock. Bill was employed by the Houghton County Medical Care Facility and in 1965, they moved to White Pine where he worked for the White Pine Mine. They returned to Hancock in 1975 and in 1985 moved to Dollar Bay and purchased the "Bay Food Mart" which he operated until 1995. Bill leaves behind his loving wife Kay, son Tom (Mellissa) of Hilliard, OH, son David of Dollar Bay and grandson Alex a student at Northern Michigan University, a sister Jean Belkonen of Houghton, a brother Ray of Hemlock, MI, a sister-in-law Ellen Hocking of Hancock and nieces Patti (Jim) Laux, Bob (Jane) Hocking, Geraldine Hocking, Mike Hocking, Alex (Mary) Belkonen, Diane Mervitt, Clay (LeAnn) Belkonen, Linda (Rick) Lange, Mark (Kathy) Latvala, & Lori (Troy) Ostrowski and a lifelong friend Roy Wakeham. Preceding him in death were his parents, an infant brother, in-laws, Ed & Edna Beiswanger, brother-in-law Paul Belkonen, sister-in-law Barb Latvala and brother-in-law Jerry Hocking. Bill was a lover of sports, especially Hockey. He could sit and talk for hours about the sport. As a young lad he played in all levels of Hockey having won district & state titles. He had many stories of his "Goal Tending" days. Bill coached Copper Country Jr. Hockey for many years. One of his greatest thrills was being able to follow his grandson Alex's hockey career for 18 years. No matter where Alex played, he was there. Bill loved his Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers & Country music, never missing Dick Storms County Show every Saturday morning. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service for Bill will be held at 6 pm Saturday February 14, 2015, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock with Rev. David Weber to officiate and the Copper Country Veterans Association will hold Military Honors. Friends may call on Saturday February 14, 2015, from 4 to 6 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock. To view Bills obituary or to send condolences tot eh family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of William Latvala, please visit Tribute Store