Alfred B. "Bill" Wiercioch

Bill Wiercioch, 89, died on July 24, 2024, in Madison Wisconsin, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 19, 1934, to the late Wojciech and Laura Wiercioch. 

Bill’s wife of 53 years, Ann, predeceased him, as did his siblings Sylvia Wiercioch, Arthur (Benny) Wiercioch, Florence (Corky) Kuk, and Albert (Al) Wiercioch; and his niece Jacqueline Velotta.

He will be missed by his sons Brian (Susan) and Greg (Cristina Bordé); his grandchildren Troy, Sarah (José), Lucas, and Nicolás; his great-grandchildren Luciano, Cristiano, and Callahan; thirteen nieces and nephews; and countless friends. 

Bill graduated from St. Casimir’s High School in Detroit in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 in France. He married Ann in 1962, and raised his children in Detroit and Plymouth, Michigan. 

After he completed his active military service, Bill worked for 20 years for General Dynamics, Liquid Carbonic, American Cryogenics, and Liquid Air. In 1979, he and his friend Leon Kennedy formed Midway Welding, Inc. In 1987, they sold the business and Bill retired. 

Bill was a servant of God whose faith extended well beyond Sunday Mass. His retirement enabled him to devote much of his time to charitable work. He volunteered at Our Lady of Providence, doing everything from cutting the grass to organizing outings and dances for the residents. For 25 years, he picked up food at grocery stores in the suburbs and dropped it off, along with clothing and other necessities, at soup kitchens in Detroit two or three times a week.

Bill was known by many names. To the poor in Detroit, he was “The Donut Man” offering sandwiches, donuts, bottled water, and a few dollars to those in need whom he met on his weekly trips to the soup kitchens. To children, he was “Mr. Bill” pulling a flashing ring or ball from his pocket to give them. To his nieces and nephews, he was “Uncle Bill” filling helium balloons from a portable tank, handing out toys from Zakoor’s Novelty, or recording their singing on his reel-to-reel tape recorder at gatherings. To his friends, he was simply “Bill” an excellent bowler and golfer, an enthusiast of practical jokes, a man who could be counted on in a time of need. To his family, he was a devoted husband and father, a proud grandfather, an even-tempered man who always had an encouraging word or a good-humored retort.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 16, at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Michigan, 48170, where friends may call for one hour prior to Mass from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. A reception will follow at St. Kenneth.

Memorial contributions may be made to Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph or Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.