William John Detroit, age 89, of Schofield, passed away on September 2, 2015. He was born to Merrill and Helen (Clulo) in Winona, MN. He grew up in Marquette, MI where he came to love Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula. Bill volunteered for service in the Army Airborne Infantry as a paratrooper and he was a World War II veteran. After his military service, he received his BS at the College of St. Thomas in MN and completed his Master's degree in Organic Chemistry at Michigan State University. Bill worked nearly 50 years as a research chemist, developing numerous patents in Lignin chemistry. He retired from LignoTech USA in 1995 and remained a consultant for several years. He is survived by his loving wife, Grace (Mullen), sons, Daniel, Mosinee; and Mark (Therese), Dayton, OH; grandchildren, Aaron (Charlene), Middletown, OH; Meghan, Orlando FL and Ryan, Dayton OH, and great-grandson Garrett of Middletown, OH. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Merrill. Bill shared his love of golf with both his sons. They could be found hitting the links for "Dawn Patrol" early in the day. He had a special fondness for Lake Superior where he built a home for his mother which later became the family cottage. He was an instrument-rated pilot who owned an aircraft for over 20 years. He loved to travel. Bill loved dogs and "Nanook of the North" has been his faithful companion. Bill was a member of St Therese Parish and served as past president of the Board of Education for St Therese School. He was a long-standing member of the Wausau Country Club where he played golf with his boys, participated in several golf leagues and enjoyed fish fries on Friday nights. Bill was also a member of VFW Post 388 and the Elks. Later in life, he volunteered at St Clare's Hospital as a greeter. Services will be held on Saturday, September 19 at St Therese Catholic Parish. Visitation will be held from 9-11 AM with the funeral Mass at 11AM, Father Britto officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Humane Society of Marathon County. Online condolences can be made to www.honorone.com