Obituaries

William “Bill” Joseph McLeod, age 69, died unexpectedly on October 11, 2026. He was born on August 14, 1957, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Donald and Barbara (Krol) McLeod.

Bill graduated from Sault Area High School with the Class of 1975. Following his high school graduation, Bill proudly served in the United States Navy. He later returned home and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University.

Bill lived in Sault Ste. Marie for most of his life. He and his wife, Julie, recently moved to Cedarville, Michigan, in the Les Cheneaux Islands area, and spent their winters in Naples, Florida.

Bill’s career began at the International Bridge, where he worked as an Immigration Officer while working his way through college. After receiving his degree, he trained at Sault Savings Bank and Central Savings Bank before being hired by Detroit and Northern Bank, where he was eventually promoted to Community Bank President. His banking experience, as well as the clients he met along the way, contributed to his success as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. He retired in 2023 after 26 years. Bill’s philosophy was to make his clients his friends, and he did just that. His clients became his friends. Everywhere he went in the EUP, he greeted the people he knew and loved.

Bill offered his support to nonprofit organizations by serving as a board member and president of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and through his service on the board and as chairman of Hospice of the EUP. He advised and served on the finance committee at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic School and was a member of the American Legion. Bill was also a member of the Sault Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Sault Country Club, Quail Run Golf Club in Naples, Mackinac Island Yacht Club, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie, and St. William Catholic Church in Naples.

Bill and Julie cherished their life together and the opportunities they had to travel and spend time with family and friends. They were fortunate to recently gather with family in Marquette and Ishpeming.

Growing up in the Sault, Bill developed a lifelong love of the water and boating. Five years ago, he fulfilled his dream of earning his 100-ton Captain’s license. His happiest times were cruising the Great Lakes aboard his boat, Good to Go. Bill was also a loyal and diehard Green Bay Packers fan from the time he was a young boy, a story he loved to tell! He often bragged about being an “owner.”

Fitness was a priority in Bill’s life since receiving his first weight bench at 16 years old. He had a dedicated gym in every home he lived in and even had a mini gym on his lanai in Naples. Bill loved biking, hiking, lifting weights, golfing, playing and listening to music, and seldom missed his four-mile daily walk. He never passed up the opportunity to sweat in a sauna, a luxury he learned from his Finnish wife, and loved sitting in a hot tub while enjoying the starlit sky. As a retirement gift to himself, Bill attended and completed the intense training of Ultimate Spy Week in Utah.

Bill was a proud father and grandfather. His greatest joy was coaching his son in hockey and supporting his grandchildren in their many endeavors.

Bill is survived by his wife, Julie (Truckey) McLeod, whom he married on August 9, 1985, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie; daughter, Jillian (Austin) Miller; grandchildren, Adelyn, AJ, and Asher Mac Miller of San Diego, California; mother, Barbara McLeod; brother, Mark (Laura) McLeod of Belleville, Illinois; sister-in-law, Jacquie Truckey; brother- and sister-in-law, John and Debbie Truckey; sister-in-law, Jo Sicinski; and brother- and sister-in-law, Tom and Jill Coates. Bill was the proud uncle of Tommy (Ally) Coates, Adam and Matt (Bethany) Truckey, Madeline and Nicholas Sicinski, Paige (Brian) Kroll, Christopher (Susan) McLeod, and Emma (Brian) Brown. He was also the Godfather of his nieces, Sarah Truckey and Cecily Coates, and nephew, Sammy Sicinski.

Bill was preceded in death by his son, MacIver McLeod; father, Donald McLeod; parents-in-law, Ruth and Jack Truckey; and brother-in-law, Mark Sicinski.

A Gathering will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 E. 4th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Bill’s final resting place will be Riverside Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Pickford assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.