William "Bill" Poncelet

 William “Bill” Poncelet, age 80, passed away Thursday, May 30th, 2024, at May Creek Lodge in Walker, MN. He was born in Akeley, MN, on January 4th, 1944, the son of Anna (Dippold) and Carl Poncelet.

Bill attended and graduated from Akeley High School. After graduation, he worked construction until he was drafted in 1965 to the U.S. Army and served in Germany. After Bill’s service, he managed Little Elbow State Park until it was annexed to Itasca State Park. He worked there until he became assistant manager of Maplewood State Park, where he retired in 2002.

Bill spent his life outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, ATV riding and more. He caught the largest Walleye in Minnesota in 1985.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Carl Poncelet; brothers, Jerome and Carl Poncelet; sister, Barbara Poncelet; brothers-in-law, W.T. Mixon and Morris Cunningham; nephew, Dennis Merk; and niece, Anne Cunningham.

Bill is survived by his brothers, Tony (Dolly) and John (Marge) Poncelet; sisters, Margaret Cunningham, Betty (Norris) Kowalke, Mary Mixon, and Celia (Martin) Merk; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Bill will be on Friday, June 7th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., with Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., all to be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church n Walker, MN. Father Trevor Peterson will officiate. Pallbearers are Michael Poncelet, Matt Merk, Allen Poncelet, Mark Kowalke, Bernie Cunningham, and Jim Poncelet. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Poncelet and Gary Klundt. Interment will be in the Akeley Cemetery. 2:00 p.m. Graveside Military Honors accorded by the Spencer Ross American Legion Post #134 Honor Guard.

Bill’s family wishes to say a special thank you to the staff at May Creek Lodge in Walker and to the St. Joseph’s Hospice staff for caring for Bill. Thank you!

Bill’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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