William H. Maurer

William H. (Bill) Maurer, age 91, of Marquette, Michigan, (formerly of Tipton) passed away peacefully May 9, 2016 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans where he had been a resident for eight months. Private family graveside services were held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 in the Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. Bill was born on December 5, 1924 in rural Tipton, Iowa to Guy and Esther Maurer who preceded him in death. He was a graduate of the Tipton Consolidated High School Class of 1942 and attended Tipton Junior College until enlisting in the United State Air Force in August, 1943. In 1944, Bill graduated from the U. S. Army Airforce Navigation School in Hondo, Texas. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force and was the navigator for his crew with the 19th Bomb Group H. Bill was especially proud of his combat service during the Korean War. Bill's crew flew B-29's on the first combat mission assigned to the U. S. Airforce on the first day of the Korean Conflict. At this time he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. During his career, Bill flew 65 combat missions from Okinawa to North Korea. Bill was eventually stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Gwinn, Michigan, where he served as the Base Accounting and Finance Officer. He retired with this rank of Major after 20 years of service. Upon retiring from the U. S. Air Force, Bill returned to Japan. He secured employment with the United Credit Union, as the Assistant General Manager, at the head office located at Fuchu Air Force Base, Tokyo. United Credit Union was the only bank serving the U. S. Military in Japan, and Bill over saw 9 branches at various other locations throughout Japan. Bill held this position for 8 years. On October 9, 1967, Bill married Noriko Yamada Maurer, in Tokyo, Japan. In 1974 the couple left Japan and returned to Marquette and built their home on Lake Superior. Bill and his friend and business partner opened the Wigwam Tobacco Shop located at the Marquette Mall in 1979, where he became the sole owner in 1986 until closing the shop in 2002. Bill had married Helen Heiak in 1944 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they had three children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1958. Their son, Philip J. Maurer preceded them in death. Also preceding Bill in death was his sister, Leona M. (Delbert) Smith. He is survived by his wife, Noriko of Marquette; his daughter, Terri (Patrick) Williams and son, James A. Maurer, all of Cedar Rapids, IA; his sister, Mary E. Beamer Moore of Roanoke, VA; four grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.