October 1, 1939 – August 12, 2026
Poet William E. DeRoche, 86 from Knife River Minnesota passed away August 12th, 2026. A memorial service and celebration of life will be Saturday, September 12th at 1 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805. At Bill’s request a reception will be held at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Bill DeRoche Memorial Fund at Peace UCC.
Bill was born October 1, 1939, in Duluth Minnesota to Vernon and Eileen DeRoche. He grew up in Duluth’s West End and attended St. Jean’s school (now Holy Family) from K-12. After attending Salter Trade School in Duluth, Bill moved to Long Island, New York, where he met and married Barbra Jund in 1964. As they were expecting their first child in 1967, tragedy struck and Bill lost both his wife and son to complications during delivery.
Bill moved back to Duluth where he found peace near Lake Superior. He made his home in Knife River, Minnesota and started his career as an engineer with the Duluth Radisson Hotel.
Bill was a creative writer and wrote two books of poetry, “Thoughts from the Journey Through,” and “The Front of the Back: Get to Know What’s in Between,” which included two local favorite poems, Lake Superior: My Lake of Life and Night Song (dedicated to children).
For over 10 years, Bill thrived in his role teaching Creative Writing at local Colleges, Vocational Schools and Prisons. His favorite volunteer roles were with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the North Shore Scenic Railroad where he could fulfill his passion for trains and steam engines. For many years, Bill was the Conductor on the North Shore Scenic Railroad where the kids and adults loved his humor. He was even an Actor (well, it was a very short nonspeaking role) in the movie “Iron Will” where he played the role of a train conductor. He took this role seriously, so the title seems fitting.
God Seeker, a lifelong seeker of spirit and truth, Bill found God often in nature, in beloved friends, and in all things fabulously creative. Later in life he sought a deeper peace and community and found both attending Peace United Church of Christ.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Jund) DeRoche and son Kevin DeRoche, parents Vernon and Eileen DeRoche, brother Donald (Kathy) DeRoche, baby sister Cynthia Ann DeRoche. Bill is survived by his brother Terrance DeRoche, Nieces and Nephews; Laurie (Rhett) Bonner, Duluth, Mark (Julie) DeRoche, Hermantown, Steve (Debbie) DeRoche, Gainesville, Georgia, Cindy (Steve) Gersten, Ocala, Florida, David (Lisa) DeRoche, Selma, Alabama, Tania DeRoche, Valley, Alabama and 15-Great Nieces and Nephews.
Bill and his family want to thank Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth for their support for so many years, especially this last year, Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital/Clinic/Hospice in Duluth and Two Harbors, Doctors, Nurses and Staff for always being there. To his Knife River and Two Harbors friends, neighbors, Community Partners and Lake County Sheriff’s Department thank you for caring, camaraderie and a great place to live.
