Bill "Bucky" Laurie

Bill "Bucky" Laurie, 86, a resident of Laurium, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center in Laurium, MI. He was born on June 14, 1921, in Calumet, MI, a son of the late Erick and Elsie (Poikenen) Laurie.

He attended the Calumet Schools and DeVry institute of Technology in Chicago, where his studies focused on electronics. He was a drummer and vocalist and loved to perform Dixieland music with local bands. In 1938, he settled in Illinois and worked for Coca Cola as a distributor in Waukegan. In 1941, he enlisted in the Illinois National Guard and was called to active duty during WW II. Bill was a combat soldier in the Pacific where he served with the Americal Division during the Guadal Canal Campaign. After the war, he was married to Harriet Scott who preceded him in death on August 4, 1998. He was later married to Gladys Thomas on February 26, 1999. Bill belonged to the Masonic Lodge and was a "32 degree, 50 year Shriner." He was also a 50 year member of the Waukegan Elk's Club, where he served as president, and was very active until he returned to his cherished Copper Country in 1999. Bill was an honest man, always good as his word.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys; children, William (Loan) Laurie of Mesa, AZ, Debra (Scott) Laurie Hickman of AuTrain, MI, Scott (Kathy) Laurie of West Salem, WI, Kathleen (Mark) Laurie Kirschbaum of Evergreen, CO; grandchildren, Brandy, Johnny, Nicole, Zacchary and Evan; great-grandchidren, Joshua, Kyleigh and Logan.

Private family services will be held and burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.

The Erickson Crowley Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements. Friends may leave condolences for the family at ericksoncrowley.com.