William Joseph Wise

William "Bill" Joseph Wise Sr., 62 of Sawyer died Wednesday, February 9, 2011 in Essentia Health St. Mary's in Duluth surrounded by his family. Bill was born December 16, 1948 in Cloquet to Herman and June Wise. He graduated from Carlton High School. He served in the Army during the Vietnam Era. Bill was a carpenter working in construction for many years for area construction companies. Bill was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, canning, cooking and spending time with his grandchildren. Bill was a creative artist and enjoyed painting in oil and water colors. Bill enjoyed telling stories and teaching the youth about the Native traditional customs that have been passed down to him by his Elders. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Emil and Gertrude Wise; brother Doug Wise; nephew John Bahen; uncle, Forrest Wise; and two grandsons, Gabriel and Stephen Wise. He is survived by his fiancé and best friend of 20 years, Sandy Topping; children, Amy June (Aron Didio) Wise of Cloquet, Jenn Ward of Duluth, William (Maureen Rivera) Wise Jr. of Sawyer, Brandon Topping of Sawyer, Clayton (Brittney) Topping of Sawyer, Josh Wise of Cloquet, and Charlie Wise of Sawyer; brothers, Louis Wise, Randy (Janice) Wise, and Dave (Sherri) Wise all of Sawyer; sisters, Ruth Wise-Bahen and Susan Wise-Christenson both of Cloquet; 12 grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Erie, Pennsylvania, Southern California, Florida, and Michigan. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home chapel. Burial was in Sts. Mary and Joseph Cemetery in Sawyer. A time of lunch and fellowship followed at the ENP. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home.