William John Lakkala, 73, of Mass City passed away on April 9, 2024 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, MI.

William (Bill) was born on October 31, 1950 in Ontonagon, MI to Arne and Beatrice (Hough) Lakkala. On April 13, 1973, Bill married Susan Williams, of Rockland, and raised three children before parting ways. Bill worked as a heavy equipment and auto mechanic for most of his life. Throughout his lifetime, Bill worked for the Ontonagon Railroad, White Pine Copper Mine, Lakeshore Inc of Negaunee, and Loram Maintenance of Way of Minnesota. While working for Loram, Bill was able to travel through most of the continental United Sates before retiring. Bill also owned an auto repair business at his home for several years. Bill was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was a lifetime member of the VFW of Mass City and an AMVET's club in Ishpeming, MI.

Bill is survived by his children, Tammie (Jeff) of Greenland, Stephanie (Earl) of Ontonagon, and Christopher (Tabatha) of Las Vegas. He is also survived by his brother, Floyd, of Mass City; eleven grandchildren, Kelsi, Amanda, Rudy, Sara, Britni, Tiffany, Ashely, Robert, Tyler, Rachel, and Emma. Along with their respective spouses and significant others. Bill is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren with the twelfth due in August.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon on April 25, 2024 at 3 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial, with Military Honors, will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Greenland.

The family would like to thank Cane Funeral Home for assisting them with the funeral arrangements and staff at Jacobetti Home for Veterans for the care and comfort Bill received while he was there.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or plants, memorials be donated to the Ontonagon Area School Robotics Program, Ontonagon County Animal Protection (OCAP), or the Greenland Township 4th of July committee.