"I miss you so much Dad, and it doesnt get easier with time, it only gets harder. You were my hero and i respect you more than anyone i have ever known. I wish you were here right now, giving me that great advice that only you could give. I know you are in Heaven and i know you are happier than you can ever be, but i miss you here, everyday i miss you. Everyday i think about you at least 100 times and think about so many things that i wish i had told you. You were the Best Dad, advice giver and father i could ever hope for. I am waiting until i see you again and maybe then i can tell you these things, but maybe, just maybe you did already know them? I love you dad and you are always in my Heart and always on my mind, i will push forward and try to do what you would be proud of and i will never quit, because God Knows YOU never ever quit! You even fought up until the very last day of your life and I will never forget just how hard you fought to stay here with us. Thank you for staying SO strong especially going through all that you went through, you will continue to impact my life each and everyday with your actions and great advice and love for our Heavenly Father Thank you Dad, Thank you and I love you!"
In loving memory of
WILLIAM J. SPAGNOLO
July 18, 1936 - May 13, 2019
William J. Spagnolo, 82, of Marquette, died early Monday morning, May 13, 2019 at U.P. Health System-Marquette.
He was born on July 18, 1936 in Marquette to the late Nickolas and Aurelia (Chiri) Spagnolo.
Bill was a long time radio personality and sports promoter on the Marquette scene, most notably known for his radio talk show, Bill Spagnolos Speaking of Sports. He was partly responsible for bringing the late famed boxer, Muhammed Ali to Marquette. During his lifetime, Bill successfully represented several life insurance companies and was also a grant writer.
He is survived by four children, Mark (Graciele) Spagnolo of Jacksonville, FL, John Spagnolo of Marquette, Mary (Vaughn) Spagnolo-Paul of Jacksonville, FL, and Whitney Spagnolo; four grandchildren, Myhoa, Jordan, Jacob, and Joshua; two great grandchildren, Gabriella and Max; one brother, Jim Jumbo (Judy) Spagnolo of Sparta, TN; his former wife, Sandra VanDyke of Richland, MI: also several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents were two brothers, Lawrence and David.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home where a parish prayer service will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Visitation will also take place on Wednesday, May 22nd from 10-11 a.m. in the Bishops Room of St. Peter Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the cathedral at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. Burial will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Father Marquette Schools, 500 S. Fourth St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mr. Spagnolos memory.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"I was saddened to read of cousin Bill's passing. I remember meeting him at Grandma Chiri's where he would always tease Aunt Lucy. I mailed the obituary to my mom, his Aunt Helen (John) Chiri. I know she will be saddened also. Our prayers are with the family"
"We were saddened to read about Bills passing. May the many treasured memories sustain you during this most difficult time. And may you find comfort in our Creators promises to reunite us with our beloved ones again, in a world where the causes of pain and sorrow will be a thing of the past. How exciting it will be to see him again doing all the things he loved. Forever find comfort reading Isaiah 25:8, which promises that our tears of mourning will end when death is done away with. Our sincerest condolences to the Family."
"Please accept my condolences to the family. During this time, I hope you may find comfort in the words of Psalm 34:18, that says God is close to those broken in heart and crushed in spirit. My deep regards."
"Our deepest sympathy for The Spagnola family, Bills children in particular . You are in our prayers as you go thru this difficult time "
"My deepest sympathy and comfort to the family- I knew Bill for a short time in the neighborhood. He was witty and loved talking about his life back when he promoted Muhammad Ali and even arranged for his visit here in MQT to fight. I wish his transition was a peaceful one, he is now with his family in heaven and his beloved Ruby will miss him greatly . Peace to his family ."
"I used to stop in to see Rel each summer when I came up to Marquette, and the kids and I stopped to visit with Bill after she passed. They liked to hear stories about when their dad Richard (Itta) ONeil was a young boy and about the rivalry between north Marquette kids and south Marquette kids. They will both be missed now. Offering prayers for comfort to the family."
"I am so sorry for your loss my friend I just asked God to put his loving arms around you and your family and comfort you at this time just know that they are always still with us in our hearts and then memories that we have made may God bless you and your family and give you peace"
"Rest In Peace Bill. Going to miss seeing you and remembering how gracious you were to bring Ali into jeans jewelry in the MARQUETTE mall and giving me his life story book."
"To the Spagnolo family, and everyone who watches, participates in, or has anything to do with sports. We hear in the media these days of hyperboles such as "he or she is a legend", "GOAT," or "future hall of famer" maybe 2-years into a marginal career. We hear over-used media hype - up, down and sideways. I can assure you, Bill Spagnolo was the epitomy of all those words and more. And, he would be smiling now, because Bill was to "hype," as "Ford" is to "cars," "sun" is to "hot," and "water" is to "wet." He was as cool as cool gets, nice as nice can be, and always, always positive. His obituary is understated - he WAS the reason Mohammad Ali came to Marquette as he befriended Ali and was in his "corner" for many years. He also, as I remember him telling me, was a "Gold Glove boxer" in his youth. On a personal note, during the 1973-74 basketball season, Bill was the Sports director at WDMJ radio and Channel 8 TV. He interviewed me, before, and/or after every game. His enthusiasm for our team, and his positive comments to me, and about me on the radio and television, to this day, had a profound and lasting impact on my confidence. I still have, and cherish, the cassette tape recording of his broadcast when we played Alpena in the regional state tournament in Grand Rapids. I get chills listening to that tape. His skills as a broadcaster, and more importantly, enthusiasm for the moment was the highlight of my high school basketball days. The last time we spoke was in the Summer of 1980, at the beach in Marquette. He was bubbling over with enthusiasm about the upcoming Mohammad Ali- Larry Holmes fight. We laughed. We debated the fight predictions. We shook hands and wished each other well. My only regret over the years regarding our friendship is I should have hired him to promote me. Bill is not in the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame. That's a travesty. But, it's ok. He's in mine. I wish the Spagnolo family peace and send the utmost repect to you. Bill was a really, really cool and nice guy and am very proud to say, my friend. Jerry Brumm"
"to the spagnolo family,i had the opportunity to hang with billy spaggs as we called himfor the last 7 yrs,what a guy he was ,from the n.m.u.chirstmas party to the bbq's on my deck every summer,and the italian dinners in our dinning room,bill would starve himself for 2 days just to get in more homeade raviolis while he was here.the muhammad ali story is a classic how he jumprd into the ring before cosell could to ask ali if he would come to marquette,ali thought it was marquette university in milwaukee,but billy had him on a audio tape saying ok.spaggs always should up with some unique gift when he came,i remember taking him to the n.m.u.party once and i said bill why are you putting them canolis in your pocket,he said to me you can't these good canolis in key west,i agree 100 percent bill should be in the sports hall of fame,he announced pro hockey for the blackhawks,at nmu,he interviewed every boxer in Vegas from duran to ali,more or less kick started the otc,has more boxing and hockey devoted time than any man i know,i last talked with bill last fall and we said see you in the spring,i will miss cousin billy spaggs alot.r.i.p. spaggs you were the best"
"I truly enjoyed visiting with Bill every Summer when he came to Marquette. He'd visit us at work every week, all Summer long.. Poodles in hand. Ruby his favorite. He shared wonderful stories of his life in sports and fantastic hand written stories that Ali wrote to him. I helped transcribe some of the audio stories for him of testimonials in Ali's own voice. He had a passion for promoting and loved life. Winters in Key West and Summers in Marquette or Grand Haven, not sure where he got his energy from but he had a spark few people have. I will miss him."