William M. Pyawasay Sr., 89, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Keshena.
William was born in Keshena on Nov. 27, 1924, to the late Mitchell and Pauline (LaFrambois) Pyawasay. William enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II on the U.S.S Harrison. William was united in marriage to Jacqualine M. Menore on June 13, 1946. In 1957, they moved the family to Milwaukee, where they lived until retirement in 1980, when they moved back to Keshena. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, crossword puzzles and reading, especially westerns. William was an extremely smart man and talented artist and has a painting hanging in the Milwaukee Museum.
William is survived by his daughters, Elaine (Greg) Martinez, Donna R. (Tony) Alvarez, Shelley (Russell) Conjurski, Twila (Jarvis) Pyawasay, Debbie (Mark) Sopa, Dawn (Chris) Pyawasay, Dawn M. Lawe and Mona Pyawasay; and his sons, Clayton (Twila) Neconish, Arvin (Vera) Pyawasay, Nash J. “Menot” Pyawasay and Donald Fonds. He is further survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, including special great-great-grandchild Evan.
William was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqualine; his parents; two sons, Preston and William Jr.; a brother, Earl Wescott; and a sister, JoAnne Pyawasay.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014, at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Neopit with the Rev. David McElroy, O. Praem, officiating. Burial will be in the Rest Haven Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Menominee Veterans. Visitation will held at the Pyawasay residence, N897 Knote Road, Keshena, after 4 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014, until the funeral procession leaves for the church at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.