Okinawa to North Korea. Bill was eventually stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Gwinn, Michigan, where he served as the Base Accounting and Finance Officer. He retired with this rank of Major after 20 years of service. Upon retiring from the U. S. Air Force, Bill returned to Japan. He secured employment with the United Credit Union, as the Assistant General Manager, at the head office located at Fuchu Air Force Base, Tokyo. United Credit Union was the only bank serving the U. S. Military in Japan, and Bill over saw 9 branches at various other locations throughout Japan. Bill held this position for 8 years. On October 9, 1967, Bill married Noriko Yamada Maurer, in Tokyo, Japan. In 1974 the couple left Japan and returned to Marquette and built their home on Lake Superior. Bill and his friend and business partner opened the Wigwam Tobacco Shop located at the Marquette Mall in 1979, where he became the sole owner in 1986 until closing the shop in 2002. Bill had married Helen Heiak in 1944 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they had three children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1958. Their son, Philip J. Maurer preceded them in death. Also preceding Bill in death was his sister, Leona M. (Delbert) Smith. He is survived by his wife, Noriko of Marquette; his daughter, Terri (Patrick) Williams and son, James A. Maurer, all of Cedar Rapids, IA; his sister, Mary E. Beamer Moore of Roanoke, VA; four grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.