William Onopa

Frankenmuth, MI

William (Bill) Onopa, resident of Frankenmuth, Michigan, passed away May 18, 2026 in Saginaw, Michigan at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Madeline Stone, daughter Andrea Onopa Woodruff (Josh), sons Karl Onopa (Laurie) and Steve Onopa (Sue), 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

A US citizen born overseas in 1940, he was repatriated to Pittsburgh, PA in 1947 when his father Stefan brought him along with his older sister Mary out of Soviet-occupied Poland. Soon after, they were joined by Bill’s Mother, Lottie, and youngest sister, Wanda, and the family relocated to work in the auto industry in Detroit. The family was complete when oldest sister Charlene and her family moved to the US in the early 60s.

Bill was a good student at Mackenzie High School and played baseball and club soccer in the Detroit / Windsor area in the 1950s. He established himself as a top-rated goalie in the area. His soccer skills earned him a place on the ’61 & ’62 Michigan State University soccer teams that competed in the NCAA championship. His record for number of minutes played without a goal stands at 9th place 64 years later. He was able to keep his love of the game alive by refereeing games well into his 50s and coaching his granddaughters well into his 60s.

Looking to fulfill his service to preserve the peace, protect the freedom, and support democracy in the country he was so grateful to be a citizen of, Bill served as an officer in the US Air Force, serving stateside at Wurtsmith AFB during Cold War operations as well as in the wind up to the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Captain. He parlayed his organizational experience gained in the service, using it to work towards a master’s degree in political science and urban planning at Michigan State. His career took him to the cities of Tulsa and Hot Springs, the State of Arkansas, and to Hamtramck and Canton in Michigan, improving the lives of people by increasing access to fair economic growth, clean water, and decent living conditions. The opportunity to practice his profession gave him great satisfaction to be effective in a way that was in line with his interests, values, and Catholic faith for many years. After a health setback required a change of pace, he changed direction and finished his career providing decent housing to low-income families.

Later in life, he reconnected with his grade school classmate Madeline Stone and they decided to become husband and wife, enjoying many years of travel, spending time with family, and living out their days in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He was a voracious reader, skilled writer, and possessed a curious mind that was always analyzing systems, seeking out patterns and connections, and looking for ways to support his family and increase his understanding of his faith.

Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 958 E. Tuscola St. Frankenmuth, MI. Bill’s family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. Frankenmuth, on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Frankenmuth.