Obituary for William Joseph Gammey
Iron Mountain-William J. Gammey, age 79, of Iron Mountain, Mich., passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Dickinson County Healthcare System, Iron Mountain, Mich.
He was born on March 28, 1941, in Florence, Wis., son of the late Joseph and Edith (Soderberg) Gamba. Bill grew up in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of 1960. He served in the United States Air Force for four years and nine months as a staff sergeant before being honorably discharged. Bill married Barbara Gregg on May 24, 1984, in Breitung Township. He was a member of the First Covenant Church, Iron Mountain, and his love of God started at Lake Lundgren Bible Camp, which he attended from 1953 until 1955. Bill worked for the City of Iron Mountain as a firefighter for 25 years, and while working for the fire department, he served as the training coordinator for the State of Michigan for nine years before retiring. Bill coached and assisted many years for the Iron Mountain High School, freshman football team.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gammey, Iron Mountain; two daughters, Jeannie A. Gammey, Green Bay, Wis., and Susan (Dave) Rice, Aurora, Wis.; five grandchildren, Krissa, Lanie, Timmy Brasure, all of Green Bay, Wis., Kimberly Rice, Ecorse, Mich. and Tyler Rice, Aurora, Wis.; four step-children, Paul (Kelly) Riley, Illinois, Mark Gregg, Norway, Mich., Robin Gregg, Aurora, Wis., and Lisa (Nathan) Pollock, Kingsford, Mich.; other grandchildren, Emma, Annie, and Kally Riley, Toni (Tyler Calvi) Gregg, Mackenzie (Ethan) Metras, Tommy (Terra) Maynard, Dustin, and Jordan Gregg, Randall and Whitney Gregg, Rylee Gregg, Andrew (Sophie Kaminski) Pollock, and Ericka and Abby Pollock; honorary grandchildren, Mike and Ammie Marana; and nine great-grandchildren; special and very dear friends, Pete Marana, Greg Sleik, Jerry Novickis, and by his good friends at Hardee’s; as well as his special four legged friend Button.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by one sister, Kitty Gammey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place Tuesday, 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Pastor Chad Harrison will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Florence, Wis. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post #50, Iron Mountain, will accord military honors at graveside.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Bill’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Bill’s legacy of life.
He was born on March 28, 1941, in Florence, Wis., son of the late Joseph and Edith (Soderberg) Gamba. Bill grew up in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of 1960. He served in the United States Air Force for four years and nine months as a staff sergeant before being honorably discharged. Bill married Barbara Gregg on May 24, 1984, in Breitung Township. He was a member of the First Covenant Church, Iron Mountain, and his love of God started at Lake Lundgren Bible Camp, which he attended from 1953 until 1955. Bill worked for the City of Iron Mountain as a firefighter for 25 years, and while working for the fire department, he served as the training coordinator for the State of Michigan for nine years before retiring. Bill coached and assisted many years for the Iron Mountain High School, freshman football team.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gammey, Iron Mountain; two daughters, Jeannie A. Gammey, Green Bay, Wis., and Susan (Dave) Rice, Aurora, Wis.; five grandchildren, Krissa, Lanie, Timmy Brasure, all of Green Bay, Wis., Kimberly Rice, Ecorse, Mich. and Tyler Rice, Aurora, Wis.; four step-children, Paul (Kelly) Riley, Illinois, Mark Gregg, Norway, Mich., Robin Gregg, Aurora, Wis., and Lisa (Nathan) Pollock, Kingsford, Mich.; other grandchildren, Emma, Annie, and Kally Riley, Toni (Tyler Calvi) Gregg, Mackenzie (Ethan) Metras, Tommy (Terra) Maynard, Dustin, and Jordan Gregg, Randall and Whitney Gregg, Rylee Gregg, Andrew (Sophie Kaminski) Pollock, and Ericka and Abby Pollock; honorary grandchildren, Mike and Ammie Marana; and nine great-grandchildren; special and very dear friends, Pete Marana, Greg Sleik, Jerry Novickis, and by his good friends at Hardee’s; as well as his special four legged friend Button.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by one sister, Kitty Gammey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place Tuesday, 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Pastor Chad Harrison will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Florence, Wis. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post #50, Iron Mountain, will accord military honors at graveside.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Bill’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Bill’s legacy of life.