IRONWOOD, Mich. - Long-time Ironwood business owner, Bill Penrose, age 74, took his final earthly ride and is now cruising on his motorcycle in the Great Beyond.

William Norman "Bill" Penrose was born to William and Gertrude (Nelmark) Penrose on April 23, 1950, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, and passed away at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, on Monday, April 7, 2025.

He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1968, and received his Associates Degree from Gogebic Community College in 1970.

Bill met Mary Kirchner at the Gogebic County Fair, and the couple married in 1970, at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood. Together Bill and Mary reared two sons, Daniel and Luke; operated their businesses; and traveled throughout the United States on a motorcycle, often with some of their many motorcycle enthusiast friends. In his spare time, besides riding his cycle, Bill enjoyed playing guitar, reading, cooking and baking, woodworking, feeding and identifying the many birds that frequented his bird feeder and drinking coffee while visiting with friends and family.

With the exception of a short stint in Arizona where he taught motorcycle mechanics and machining at M.M.I., Bill spent his 74 years in Ironwood.  Most recently Bill was the master motorcycle mechanic and owner of Backstreet Cycle and Machine, from which he retired this year due to health issues. In 1976, he purchased and operated the former Boyer's Service Station, naming it Penrose Skelly Service. However, before making a career with the mechanical skills he honed as a child taking apart whatever he could get his hands on with whatever tools he could find; he delivered oil and pumped gas for Larry Boyer at Boyer's Service; worked at the White Pine Copper Mine; served as a firefighter, having attained the rank of captain at the Ironwood Fire Department in 1977 and worked at the Ironwood Area Schools as a custodian/bus driver for many years.

Bill was predeceased by his parents.

He is survived by his soulmate, the love of his life, and his "partner in crime," Mary; his sons, Dan Penrose, Ironwood, and Luke Penrose, Iron Belt, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Logan, Kayla and Dani; a sister, Greta (Michael) Erm, Belfair, Washington; his brother-in-law, Fritz (Kathy) Kirchner, Wakefield; his sister-in-law, Patty (Steve) Scott, Las Vegas, Nevada; nieces and nephews; and his loyal canine companion, Trapper.

Bill may no longer be an earthly presence, but he will live forever in the hearts of those of us he left behind. Ride free!

Cremation has taken place.

There will be no visitation or funeral service.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.