William A. Vuorenmaa

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill. - William A. Vuorenmaa, 93, passed away surrounded by his family at his home on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. He was born March 23, 1925, in Ironwood, Mich., the devoted son of the late Erick and the late Selina (nee Kitula) Vuorenmaa.

Bill was very proud of his Finnish heritage and spoke the language fluently. He attended Roosevelt School in Ironwood Township, helped his parents on the farm, and worked in the CCC camps.

Bill was employed with the trailer factory in Ironwood; Continental Can Company in Chicago, Ill .; and retired with 38 years of service in March of 1990 as a shipping clerk and volunteer fireman with the Helene Curtis Beauty Industries of Chicago.

On Jan. 29, 1955, Bill married Shirley A. Huntington at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; daughter, Nancy (Kevin) Walsh; and son, William E. Vuorenmaa; two brothers, Harold (Irene) and Niilo (Sonja Luoma), seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by eight brothers: Eino, John, Oiva, Arvo, Sulo, Toivo, Laurie and Kenneth; and two sisters: Lillian Cornwall and Elmi Jolgren.

Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed lake trolling, stream fishing, deer hunting, bowling, camping, traveling with his Mallard motor home, country music, polka dancing, and playing his harmonica. But most of all, he loved his family.

Family and friends gathered at Apostles Lutheran Church, 10429 W. Fullerton Ave., Melrose Park, Ill., on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.

Bill will be laid to rest on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township, Mich. at 10 a.m.