William "Bill" M. Wishart

On September 16, 1995, in Gaylord, Bill married the love of his life, Dona (Brechtelsbauer). Surviving are his three daughters, JayeLynn (Joseph) Lauria of Olathe KS, Melissa (Kevin) Olds of Traverse City; Christina Wishart (Robert Burget) of Los Angeles CA; his granddaughter, Madeline Olds; brothers and sisters in-law, David (Cathy) Brechtelsbauer of Sioux Falls SD, and Jane (John) Schneider of Lake Kiowa TX; many cousins, many friends, and the Community of Gaylord.

In 1957, Bill graduated from Kalkaska High School. Early in his school years, he began his love for being actively engaged in diverse activities.

For 22 years, Bill worked at Glen’s Market, beginning in Kalkaska at 16 years of age and later becoming the store manager in Gaylord. He also exercised his skills in business, marketing, and sales at Treetops Resort. Bill began an enjoyable stint in radio broadcasting at WWRM Radio in Gaylord, later expanding his responsibilities and influence for business success at Eagle Radio. Other businesses benefitting from Bill’s business and customer services skills included a hotel and hospitality group, Gus Macker Enterprises, and Little Ceasars Pizza of Gaylord.

Sports was his hobby of choice, providing unique opportunities for Bill to make many new friends of all generations. This included helping friends  build the softball league fields at the Fireside Inn (now Pine Squirrel); proudly serving as a MHSAA referee for 42 years; serving as national tournament sales representative for Gus Macker Enterprises; broadcasting Gaylord Community Schools high school sports and following northern Michigan teams to state finals. Bill took special joy in transferring his love of sports to his three daughters and to granddaughter ‘Maddie Mat’.

Bill provided leadership in his community by serving on planning commissions, councils, steering committees, and boards of directors. He served on the very first board of directors of Alpenfest in the mid-sixties. Additional roles included service to the Otsego County Sports Hall of Fame, the Otsego Wildlife Society (OWLS), and Otsego History Matters. Bill’s most challenging and satisfying work in public service was serving as Mayor of Gaylord.

Bill loved his community immensely. Gaylord is a better place because of the hours, grit, and thoughtfulness he put into the community.

Funeral services will take place at 1:00 PM Friday, October 20, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church of Gaylord. Family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00 AM at the same location until the time of services. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery with a private family service.

To honor Bill and his love for the community, please feel free, if you choose to, to wear your Alpenfest or Gaylord sports attire.

In lieu of flowers, suggested memorials include Gaylord Alpenfest, PO Box 513, Gaylord MI 49734, or GHS Athletics, c/o Christian Wilson, 90 Livingston Blvd, Gaylord MI 49735. Consider sharing memories and personalized messages with the family on his guestbook below.