William Masters

Resided in Bark River, MI
Died November 25, 2020

William (Will/Bill) Masters, age 66, passed away at Cedar Hill Assisted Living on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

Bill was born in Jackson, MI on July 2, 1954 to George and Jacqueline (Krutsch) Masters. He attended Michigan Center Schools until his Junior year when his family relocated to Escanaba where he graduated in 1973 from Escanaba Public High School.

Bill served his Country by joining the Navy from 1976-1980, where he was awarded the Honorman of his Company from Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He was stationed on the USS Kalamazoo in Norfolk, VA and New York, NY. While he was out to sea he was generally in the Mediterranean and spent time in Spain and Italy.

After his Honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill was employed at the Verso Paper Mill until his early retirement due to health reasons.
In his younger years Bill loved to spend time at his grandparent’s dairy farm, as he revered and admired his elder relatives, which were good role-models.

Bill had a vast knowledge of motorbikes and guns and owned a motorbike since he was young when he sold his pedal bike to earn money to purchase his first used mini-bike. He owned many different makes and models of motorbikes over the years; however, he was most fond of his Honda Goldwings that he enjoyed using to travel to many places. In his younger years he also enjoyed racing his dirt bikes and ice racing. In addition to his motorbikes, he enjoyed target shooting with his numerous collection of guns.

Bill was very kind-hearted and generous to those that knew him. He had a genuine interest in getting to know people and had lifelong friends that he considered family. Some of the boys were like the brothers he never had with the Palmers of Jackson, MI, who were former neighbors; and with the Kent’s of St. Joseph Island Canada, where he spent much time every summer as a child and often visited as an adult.
Bill is survived by his loving sisters, Sharon Masters of Escanaba, Brenda (Gary) Stevenson of Gladstone and Janice (Mike) Summers of Escanaba; nieces, Courtney (Jack) Planakis, Erin Stevenson and Saige Ramsden; nephews, Marshall Judson and Jackson Planakis. He is also survived by dear Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and cherished friends, Dan & Linda Brachman, Bill & Janet Draze, Timmy & Pam Groleau, Rich & Jane Heinz, Al & Karen Mokszycke and Tom Oberstar.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 3 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military Honors will be presented by the Delta County Veterans Council at 5:45 PM. Memorial services will follow at 6:00 PM with Rev. Al Schubert officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells.

Masks and social distancing will be required at the Skradski Family Funeral Home.

11 Tributes for “William Masters”

    Sharon, Janice and Brenda, I am so sorry to learn of Bills passing. Gone way to soon. I picture him riding the clouds on two wheels. My prayers are with you all.

    Will M. will be sadly missed by my family! He was always Uncle Willy to my kids Josh and Sarah and he spent many holidays at our house while they were growing up. We went on vacations sometimes to St. Joseph’s Island with him, and had many happy memories together. He always enjoyed riding his Honda Gold Wing and is about the only person I know that hit a deer at 60 mph on his bike and didn’t put it down! Deer hunting with him at our camp was always a good time and we swapped Navy stories sometimes. Stubborn, loyal and always helpful, I could not ask for a better friend. He loved his family deeply. Rest in peace and syotos my friend.

    Sharon,Brenda, and Janice…I have fond memories of all of you including Bill as a child at our Grandma Clarks…I am so sorry for your loss..Many prayers!

    Sharon Janice and Brenda and Families
    As you know Phil and Bill were still great friends. We are sorry for all of you. We send our love to all of you. We continue to pray for you all to have peace and to gain strength as you mourn with reflection on the great memories of you precious brother.

    Condolences to the family. Have many memories of playing backyard football with Bill and gang. R.I.P. Big Bill.

    Prayers to my UP Family. I will always think of Bill as my “Big” Brother! He was my inspiration for joining the military and getting a bike. I always enjoyed our time together when I visited Escanaba, especially in these later years. Ride on, Cousin!

    So sad to hear my friend “Willy” Masters has passed away.

    Willy and my brother and I were close high school friends before we all joined the Navy. We’d often go hunting and shooting together and enjoyed many good times. Willy was always the soft spoken gentle bear of a man with a great warm personality and terrific sense of humor. After we all got out of the Navy we still went shooting and riding motorcycles. I remember Willy offering and spending the better part of a day helping me install a Windjammer fairing on my motorcycle. He put one on his bike and said it was a real bear of a job and offered to help me, what a great friend! He got me a job with Rust Engineering during the E4 project at the Mill. I fondly remember visiting Willy’s mom and dad out on Portage Point, they were so good to us! I’ll miss my dear friend and I will never forget the good times we had together. Goodbye Willy!

    Sharon, Brenda And Janice
    So sorry to hear about Bill. It has been years since I last saw him. But I remember that he was a very cute and likeable young boy even back then. I miss the days when our Grandma Mary used to take us to visit Aunt Grace and Uncle Erwin where we would meet all of our cousins. Families were so much closer back then. God bless your family.
    Love,

    Sharon, Brenda and Janice we send our condolences in the loss of your dear brother “Bill”. We remember his favorite bike trips to St. Joseph Island to visit. Your whole family were in our thoughts as we walked past Kay and Ed’s house today. May he rest in peace.

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