William Kusey, Sr., age 95 of Mio, Michigan, passed away at The Brook in West Branch, Michigan on Friday, April 26, 2024.
William was born in Omer, Michigan on January 24, 1929, to Anthony and Rose (Tellish) Kusey. He graduated from Standish High School in 1946. He worked on the family farm K – 12, growing a variety of grain, raising dairy cattle, hogs, and chickens. He played baseball, tennis, and football while in school. After graduation, he attended Saginaw Business College. He also worked for General Motors and U.S. Gypsum Company.
William married Marietta Ann Dow on July 7, 1950. In 1954, he began his long career with the Michigan State Parks & Recreations Division of the Department of Conservation as the Assistant Park Manager at Brimley State Park. He worked his way up the ranks to Regional Parks Supervisor in Region I Marquette. William began his career at Brimley as Assistant Park Manager, then was promoted to Park Manager at White Cloud. From there, he became Assistant Park Manager at East Tawas State Park and was promoted to Park Manager. He was the first Park Manager of Tawas Point State Park, then received a promotion to Park Manager of Muskegon State Park. After a while, William served as District Park Supervisor at Baraga and Mio District Offices. When the Parks Division was reorganized, he served as Assistant Regional Supervisor and was eventually promoted to Regional Supervisor Region I Marquette. After serving for 34 years with the DNR, William retired in 1988.
During his work tenure, William was in charge of Corrections Work Programs at Baraga, Hartwick Pines, and Pellston Parks. He also was in charge of the Youth Work Programs through the Department of Social Services at Camp Showono in Grayling, and Camp Nokomis in Prudenville.
William continued his education throughout his career. During his tenure with the Department of Natural Resources, he did Graduate work at Lansing Community College & Kirtland Community College where he received an Honorary Associate Degree at age 90.. He took many Adult Ed courses and also did graduate work at Northern, Central, and Michigan State Universities; graduating from D.N.R Management Academy at Western Michigan University. William also attended 30 annual Parks & Recreation in-service training sessions.
William was a member of the Mio United Methodist Church and a Life Member of Mio United Methodist Men’s Club, for which he served as President for a little over 30 years. He belonged to and supported many local, state, and national organizations. He was the original appointee on the Oscoda County Parks & Recreation Commission. William also served on the county Planning Commission and the D.N.R. Natural Rivers Zoning Board for the AuSable River. He was a supporter of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association, Oscoda County Soil Conservation, Michigan Resource Stewards, Headwaters Land Conservancy, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Huron Pines R.C. & D., National Parks and Conservation Association, National Conference of State Parks, The National Rifle Association, the Pigeon River Country Association, and was a Life Member of the Michigan United Conservation Club.
Before and after retirement, William Sr. and Marietta enjoyed traveling in Europe, throughout the United States, Alaska, and Canada. They visited some 40 National Parks, and William visited every State Park & Recreation Area in Michigan. The couple camped together for over 50 years, and they were married for 67 years.
William was born to hunt and fish. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper, fruit & vegetable gardener, and utmost family man. He loved the out-of-doors. He also was a Detroit Tigers fan since his high school days.
William is survived by his children: Nancy (Roger) Trew, William (Karen) Kusey, Jr., Laurie (Tom) Shea, Nina (Hugh) Galbraith, and Karen (Paul) Ciske; his grandchildren: Candace (Ken) Camling, Karen (Josh) Nease, Sarah (Wing) Lau, Elizabeth (Anthony) Kachiros, Will (Makayla) Ciske, Kerrie (Boz) Lomasney, and Charlee (Scott) Sheraden; his great-grandchildren: Henry, Abilene, Diana, Tanner, Luke, Olivia, Lucy, Ben, Gus, Raelynn, and Hugh; his sister Marge Jansen, his sister-in-law Shirley Drouse, several nieces and nephews, along with many, many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marietta; his brothers: Mike, John, Steve, Samuel, Tony, Jr., and Julius; and his sisters: Julia Grabney, Celia Krysinski, Sophie Marx, Vickie Hoder, Mary Lazuerwicz, and Verna Kusey and son-n-law Bill Appel.
Visitation was Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan. William also lied in state on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 until the Funeral Services at the Mio United Methodist Church with Pastor Paula Timm-Potrykus officiating. Interment followed the service at Luzerne Cemetery, Luzerne, Michigan. A luncheon followed the interment at the Mio United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the Mio United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
These arrangements were handled by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI.
