William H. “Bill” Niemi

TOIVOLA - William H. "Bill" Niemi, 45, a resident of Toivola and Houston, Texas, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 24, 2009.

He was born in Hancock on May 3, 1964, a son of William H. and Jennie (Komula) Niemi. He graduated from Jeffers High School in 1982 and attended Lake Superior State College for one year.

Bill was a retired fireman and paramedic. He worked for 17 years in Wyandotte, Mich. Currently, he was self-employed as a real estate investor in Houston. While attending a real estate seminar in Arcola, Texas, the speaker collapsed during the seminar and it was Bill's paramedic experience that saved the speaker's life when Bill performed CPR on him.

On May 13, 2009, Bill was married to Rose Rodriguez.

Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1983 to 1987.

Bill was a member of Toastmasters and the R.I.C.H. Club, both of Houston.

Bill loved the outdoors, especially the Toivola area.

Surviving are his wife, Rose of Toivola and Houston; his mother, Jennie Niemi of Toivola; three sisters, Sandra (Martin) Johnson of Toivola, Susan Niemi of Santa Clara, Calif., Kathleen (Douglas) Vettori of Hancock; one brother, Matthew (Daylania) Niemi of Toivola; three aunts; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, William; an infant sister, Karen; and a sister, Jennie Cohen.

Private funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at the Mountain View Mortuary in South Range with Pastor Ken Storm officiating. Burial took place in the Toivola Cemetery.

Arrangements by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.