William (Bill) Wiechmann Kessel

William (Bill) Wiechmann Kessel, 93, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1932, Bill brought warmth, generosity, and a quiet strength to everyone who knew him. He shared 66 devoted years of marriage with his beloved wife, Joyce E. Kessel, a partnership marked by deep love, mutual respect, and unwavering support.

A graduate of Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, Bill earned his undergraduate degree from Albion College and later received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He served his country with honor in the United States Army for two years, stationed in Stockton, California, and continued his service in the Army Reserve for an additional two years. Bill spent 29 years working for and ultimately leading Wiechmann’s department store, the family business that flourished under his guidance, growing from a single downtown Saginaw location into a respected regional presence with stores at Saginaw’s Fashion Square Mall, Bay City’s Hampton Square Mall, and downtown Owosso. He later enjoyed a successful second career with Roney & Co., where he continued to apply his business acumen, integrity, and steady leadership.

Deeply committed to the Saginaw community, Bill served as President of the Downtown Saginaw Association and President of the Downtown Saginaw Kiwanis Club. He also served as a Director of the First Savings and Loan Association and later on the Great Lakes Bancorp board, and as a member of the Wickes Foundation Board. His leadership extended into healthcare, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Saginaw General Hospital and Saginaw Medical Center. He was a longtime member of the Saginaw Club and the Saginaw Country Club, where he formed many lasting friendships.

Above all, Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished time with Joyce and their family. Summers at Saginaw Bay were especially meaningful, particularly sitting on the deck at Pt. Lookout, overlooking the water and greeting neighbors with a warm hello. An avid outdoorsman, he was passionate about trout fishing on the Au Sable River in Grayling, Michigan, and was a member of the Mershon Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He also loved swimming along the Saginaw Bay shoreline, playing tennis and golf at Pt. Lookout, and sharing these simple pleasures with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; his sons, Jeffrey William Kessel and William Bradford Kessel; his daughter-in-law, Gayl Ann Kessel; his daughters, Beth Ann Kessel and Sarah Lynn Kessel; his granddaughters, Amanda Lynn (Jeremy), Jacqueline Kessel, and Julia Kessel; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, William T. Kessel and Elda W. Kessel, and by his sister, Suzanne L. (John) Rogers. A private ceremony will be held, with a celebration of life gathering planned for this coming summer at the family’s cherished summer residence at Pt. Lookout in Au Gres, Michigan.