William E. Duffy, 87, of Superior, died Friday, August 5, 2016 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

William was born in Menomonie WI on July 10, 1929 the son of William and Pearl Duffy.

Bill served his country during WWII enlisting in the Navy. After discharge from the Navy he sailed on the Great Lakes from 1948 until 1960. He then sailed for relief work for M.A. Hanna for 10 years. He was proud to be chosen to be one of the crews to take two new ships out of the shipyard. The two ships were the Ernest T. Weir and the George M. Humphrey. After his sailing career he became a licensed boiler engineer. He retired as Chief Boiler Engineer for Bayer & Co.

He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King Church and a member of the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 where he was part of the Honor Guard for many years.

Bill took great pride in his yard. He also enjoyed cooking for the Bong fundraisers and the Legion Picnic. Most important to him was spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William & Pearl; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Mark and Edna Trainor.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 ½ years, Letty; children, Patricia (Mark) Olson, Michael (Deborah) Duffy, Thomas Duffy, Mark (Dotty) Duffy, Peggy (Bill Olson) Duffy, Kevin Duffy, Timothy Duffy, and Karen Duffy; sisters, Margaret Walsh and Agnes Ward; brother, Francis Duffy; 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Wed. Aug 10 ^th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home, corner of 19 ^th St. and Ogden Ave, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation will continue on Thurs. Aug 11 ^th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. mass of Christian Burial at Cathedral of Christ the King with Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Ricci as celebrant. Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435.

Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Menomonie, WI.

Active pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters.

If desired, memorials in Bill's name may be made to the Richard I Bong Historical Center or the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435.