William M. Deem

William "Bill" Mason Deem, 72, of Brainerd, MN passed away peacefully on December 24, 2021 at Bayshore Care Center in Duluth, MN. Bill was born on July 8, 1949 to Robert and Mary (Yowell) Deem in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Bill graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1968 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Bill took pride in his work and did everything from law enforcement, mining and 911 dispatcher to master train engineer and voice of Paul Bunyan. Bill married his first wife, Mavis Valla in 1970 and they were blessed with three daughters:  Renee, Tina, and Beverly. In 1987, Bill married his second wife, Juli Sutton, and they were also blessed with two daughters:  Ashley and Coryn.  Bill's favorite hobbies included playing horseshoes, bowling, fishing, computer repair, teasing, story-telling, watching Gunsmoke and being with family and friends. He dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren. Bill was a member of Light of the Cross Lutheran Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mavis (Valla) Harmon, brother Michael Deem, and sister-in-law Rose Deem.  He is survived by his wife, Rev. Juli Sutton-Deem, sisters Sue (Terry) Stutler and Vicki (Dave) Curtis, brother Gary Deem, and sister-in-law Sharon Deem; five daughters, Renee (Bill) Sterzinger, Tina Stuart, Beverly (Robin) Deem-Culbertson, Ashley (John) Workman and Coryn (David) Schwark; seven nephews, ten grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and special “adopted daughter” Carrie Kinnear.

A visitation will be held at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN on Friday, January 7th from 4-6 pm. Funeral services will be held at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison, MN on Saturday, January 8th at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service.

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