William "Bill" Menard

William "Bill" David Menard of Sault Ste. Marie, MI was called home on Sunday, February 4, 2018, after a brief battle with cancer, which he fought until his final breath. Bill had exceptional care at home by his wife, daughter, and son in law, with the help of home hospice. He was able to fulfill his wish of saying "see you when I see you" on his terms and was surrounded by family. Bill was born on June 16, 1952, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to the late Philip L. and Lorraine E. (McCoy) Menard. He married the love of his life, Debra A. (Arsenault) on June 30, 1983, in Lynn, Massachusetts and moved back to Sault Ste. Marie in 1984. Bill was a graduate of Sault High School with the class of 1971 and left for the United States Marine Corp right after. He was honorably discharged in 1973 and re-enlisted in the United States Army in 1976 where he remained until 1981. After his career in the military, he held many hats until he was employed with Sault Kewadin Casino. He started as a security guard and moved to the slot department until December 2017. Bill was also a member of The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Bill loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who called him "papa grump". He always looked grumpy but had a heart of gold. He had a passion for hockey, which he played during his youth, and was an avid Detroit Red Wings and Soo Eagles fan. He was also an avid golfer and could find him on the course during one of the two leagues he played during the summer. His main love was hunting. For many, many years he could be found in the same spot with his brothers on opening day of hunting season. He enjoyed being in the woods with any of his family who loved it as much as he did. His proud moment is when his daughter joined him in this passion. Bill also had the pleasure of working the same shift as his wife where they would meet every night and eat dinner together. They were best friends and enjoyed their life together. Bill is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debra A Menard; daughters, Theresa (Jamie) Ailing and Nicole (Scott) Koester; and son, Raymond King. Eight grandchildren, Cecilia and Hunter Sicotte, Teanna and Isabella Ailing, Emma Jourden, Anthony Backus, and Brandon and Caitlyn King. He also has a great-grandchild due in September of 2018. Four brothers, Philip "Joe" (Sharon) Menard, Alfred (Joan) Menard, Dennis (Carol) Menard, and Donald (Joyce) Menard; and two sisters, Patricia Menard-Rudis and Marie (Rick Osbourne) Menard. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles on both the McCoy and Menard sides. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Philip and Lorraine Menard, infant brother Eugene B. Menard along with his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. A celebration of life will be on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 11 am at Niigaanagiizhik (Cultural) Ceremonial Building in Sault Ste. Marie, MI with Brother John Hascall officiating.

Tributes

William "Bill" Menard

June 16, 1952 - February 4, 2018