The Reverend Mr. William J. Viancourt, Sr.
Permanent Deacon, Saint Michael Parish, Cleveland

died Monday, November 27, 1995 at Lakewood Hospital after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. Reverend Mr. Viancourt had been ill with cancer.

William J. Viancourt was born on January 29, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, to David and Ann Viancourt. He was the youngest of four sons. Bill graduated from Saint Joseph High School in Holy Trinity, Alabama in 1936. He also attended Saint Joseph College Seminary in Alabama for two years. He was a machinist for forty-five years, owning and operating his own machine shop at one time.

He married Ann Wokulich on November 26. 1942. When Bill entered the diaconate program in 1979, he received enthusiastic support from his wife, Ann, and their son, William, Jr. The love and loyalty of Ann and his son helped him with the many demands of his studies, his work, and his ministry.

He was ordained to the diaconate on June 5, 1982 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio, by the Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla. Following his ordination, he was assigned to Saint Michael Parish, Cleveland. He was a chaplain at the Cleveland Psychiatric Institute until 1989. At Saint Michael Parish, Bill was involved in sacramental preparation, baptizing and conducting wake services, and assisting and preaching at liturgies. He continued to minister at Saint Michael Parish until his retirement from active ministry in 1992.