Obituaries

William John Kallio, age 92, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, was called to our Lord on Saturday, August 8, 2026, when he passed away peacefully at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born at home to George and Mildred (Norman) Kallio on December 9, 1933, his father’s birthday, in Chatham, Michigan.

Bill was a long-time Yooper, earning a forestry degree from Michigan Technological University, where he met his future bride, Marlene “Molly” Materna. They married August 7, 1954. Bill served as a captain in the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and West Point, New York.

Bill loved the outdoors, and he worked in the logging industry his entire life until he hung up his chainsaw at 88 years old. He also owned and operated a tourist business, the Tom Sawyer Riverboat Cruise, from 1973 until 1997, where his five children helped run the family operation each summer before starting their own careers. Bill spent several years preparing taxes for H&R Block during the winter months before investing full-time in logging.

Molly was the center of his life, and together they raised their five children in a Christ-centered household filled with much love and laughter, teaching them the important things: enjoy life and keep a positive attitude, work hard, meet schedules, assume challenges and risks, create your own vision and set goals to succeed, and most of all, remember to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Bill celebrated his seventy-second anniversary with his beloved wife the day before he left this earthly life and transitioned to the perfect world. In addition to Molly, Bill is survived by his children, Gordon (Jenifer) Kallio, Jeffrey (Kim) Kallio, Deborah Kallio, Mary (Dan) LeFevre, and Nancy (Mike) Zabel; grandchildren, Jason (Mary) Kallio, Wade (Spela) Kallio, Christopher Gray, Greg (Melissa) Kallio, Levi (Ginny) Kallio, Foster (Paige) Zabel, Andrea (Nick) Doletzky, Mackenzie Zabel, and Dana (Evan) Petersen; great-grandchildren, Jolie Kallio, Mila Kallio, Evan Kallio, Jace Kallio, and Donna Zabel; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved and adored him.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved and adored him.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Washington Way, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 A Christian service will follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s honor to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Washington Way, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or Ball Hospice House, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Ball Hospice House for the extraordinary care provided during Bill’s final weeks.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.