William E Schweiger

William Edward Schweiger, 95, of Tucson, AZ, passed away on April 17, 2024, after fighting a short illness.

Bill was born on May 13, 1928, to Anthony and Josephine Schweiger in Keewatin, Minnesota. He attended Keewatin High School, graduating in 1946.

Bill married Julia Pavich of Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1950. They had two children, Charles and Katherine. In 1959, Bill and Julia moved the family to Duluth, Minnesota. Bill spent most of his later years in Tucson, AZ. He loved the warm weather.

Bill's working life included many different careers. His ability to learn and reinvent himself was amazing, Bill started by delivering coal with his father to Keewatin residents, then working in the iron ore mines in northern Minnesota. Bill used his natural math skills to work as an accountant for Pickands Mather mining company. After leaving Pickands Mather he took an accounting job at the Duluth Arena Auditorium (DECC) in Duluth, ultimately taking over as General Manager. Using his self-taught marketing and management skills, Bill guided the DECC thru many changes, including the move to make the S.S. William A. Irvin a tourist attraction that has become a proud figurehead of Duluth's waterfront. He loved telling stories about all the celebrities that performed over the years at the DECC. During his tenure he brought the DECC into a positive cash flow. Bill and his wife Julie owned and operated the Happy House gift shop in Duluth. After retiring in 1989, Bill lived mostly in Tucson, AZ and started a new career in the jewelry industry. He learned to make bracelets, necklaces, and fix watches. Bill adored making the bracelets and necklaces for his friends and family.

Bill was an avid sports fan and loved to play golf. He, along with his golfing friends, spent many summer days playing golf at Lester Park Golf Course in Duluth. You could find them on many early mornings standing on the 1st tee at Lester Park, waiting for it to be light enough to hit their 1st shot.

Bill is survived by his children Charles (Cheryl) Schweiger and Katherine (Charles) Bouschor; grandchildren Matthew (Rebecca) Schweiger, Molly (David) Owles, Zachary (Allison) Bouschor, and Ian Bouschor; great grandchildren Olivia Owles, William Owles, Zoey Schweiger, and Tate Schweiger; nieces and nephews Deann (David) West, Tom (Jana) Vucetich, Peter (Ann) Vucetich, Mary (Jon) Chiaravalle , Michael (Jamie) Pavich, Chris (Gary) Aldrich, Randy (Corrine) Pavich, John Pavich, and Matthew Pavich. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Josephine and Anthony Schweiger, his wife Julia Pavich Schweiger and his brothers and sister, Charles, Anthony, and Josephine (Babe).

He was loved and adored by all who knew him.