William Fortier

William Curtis Ingle/Fortier

B. November 22, 1937 D. November 12, 2025

Will was born in Juneau, Alaska to Lester & Grace Ingle, who divorced in 1940 when Will was 3 years old. She married second husband Harlove H. Fortier, who adopted Will & legally changed Will’s name to Fortier. Mother had 2 more children Larry & Rondi. They lived in Juneau until after WWII, then moved to Manistee, Michigan in 1947. Will graduated from Manistee High School in 1956, for the U.S. Navy for four years, he attended the Naval Supply Corp School in San Diego, California & upon graduation was attached to the U.S.S. Wantuck APD-125 just in time for deployment to the Far East. The ship left San Diego with a large convoy, 600 miles out, in a very rough seas & fog, his ship was rammed by a much larger cargo ship killing some shipmates and injuring many. The ship was sinking but was saved by the crew members. He was transferred to a Destroyer for the remainder of his enlistment, he attended Muskegon Community College for 1 year, rejoined the Naval Service for 6 more years. Spent the last two in Vietnam a total of 8 year in the Far East.

Will left the service in 1966 & went to work for Norris Industries in Los Angeles area and attended the University of California East Los Angeles for 1 year. Became a trouble shooter for the company and was transferred to Modesto facility and attended Modesto Junior College. Moved back to Los Angeles in 1969 & entered the Copper Industry by working for NIBCO, Inc. as facility manager for 4 years. He was lured away from that company by their chief competitor Mueller Industries where he worked for the next 20 years as Senior Field Manager and eventually the became the Western U.S. Distribution Center Manager until retiring in 1994 and age of 56 and moved to Pine River, Minn. He loved the area and the people. Will was a lifetime member of the Jenkins VFW Post 3839 and was post Commander 2004-2005. He was also a member in good standing of the Pequot Lakes American Legion Post 49.

Will is survived by his sister-in-law Nancy Fortier of Cadillac, Michigan & daughter Michelle and husband Michael Craig of Brainerd. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Larry F. Fortier of Manistee, Michigan and beloved sister Rondi J. Seiy of Lynchburg, Virginia.