Bill Mealey

William Mealey, 79, of Two Harbors, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay.

He was born Feb. 1, 1931, to William D. and Margaret E. (Carrell) Mealey in Minneapolis. His family moved to the town of Wales in 1933, where he grew up attending a one-room school through the sixth grade. When the school was closed, they were transported to Two Harbors, where Bill graduated from high school in 1950.

After graduating, he worked on a farm and for North Star Timber Company as a truck driver. He was drafted into the Marine Corps in March 1952 and served until 1954. He then went to work for the contractor in the construction of the plant at Silver Bay.

Bill worked for several contractors as a truck driver until he went to work for Reserve Mining Co. in Babbitt in March of 1956. He was a heavy equipment operator in the mine department until he transferred to the railroad car shop in 1958, then into the locomotive shop in 1960. He then transferred to the Nor Shore location to maintain the track equipment used for maintenance of way repairs. Bill worked there until 1979, when he was promoted and transferred to the transportation department in Silver Bay, moving the tailings to the Mile Post Seven tailings basin. Bill retired as the mobile equipment shop foreman in April 1986 after working for the mining company for 30 years and two months.

He married Phyllis Yung of Lakeville June 25, 1960. They lived in Babbitt until moving to Two Harbors in 1962. Bill and his wife raised six children, all graduates of Two Harbors High School.

He was a member of the American Legion. Bill served four terms as post commander, and served terms as the chaplain, finance officer, and adjutant of his local post. He served on the Post Honor Guard for more than 40 years. He also served as an Eighth District Commander, and several terms as a district vice commander, district adjutant, membership director, and judge advocate. He also served as a Minnesota department vice commander and six terms as a vice chairman on the National Distinguished Guest Committee. Bill was also a member of DAV; Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada-U.S. Unit (ANAVICUS); Knights of Columbus; and the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He served 17 years on the Silver Creek Town Board.

Bill did a lot of volunteer driving, transporting veterans for medical treatment, a job he really enjoyed doing. Helping veterans was very important to him.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James and John.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughters, Katherine (Richard) Anderson of East Bethel, Martha (Mark) Kearin of Owatonna, Sharon of Grinnell, Iowa, and Janet of Owatonna; sons, Patrick (Sarah) of Bloomington, and Michael of East Grand Forks; sisters, Mary Hagen of Two Harbors, and Jane Holm of Babbitt; brothers, David of Silver Bay, and Dan of Babbitt; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Megan Anderson, Thomas, Kevin, Claire, and Kathleen Mealey, Kelly and Margaret Suerth, Jacob and Joseph Kearin, and Bryant Juaire, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Bill’s family would like to thank Linda and Val at St. Luke’s Hospice and the staff and volunteers of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay for their loving care.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in the veterans section of Lakeview Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Veterans Transportation Fund of Lake County or the Recreation fund at the Silver Bay Veterans Home.

Tags: obituaries

Sign the guestbook (1 comment)

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions