William Sottile of Rockford, Ill., formerly on the faculty of the biological sciences department, passed away Sunday, July 15, at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago as a result of a cardiac event.

He had fought pulmonary fibrosis for four years and had recently undergone a successful lung transplant.

From 1987 to 2005, he was the UP regional lab director for the Michigan Department of Community Health in Houghton and an adjunct professor at Michigan Tech.

“Bill was a wonderful, warm-hearted person,” said John Adler, biological sciences chair. “He instructed in medical bacteriology for us and was very good with the students.”

Adler credited Sottile for helping to relocate the state laboratory from the second floor of the Annex Building, on the main campus, to Michigan Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Campus. “It provided more space on campus and a better facility at the ATDC,” he said.

Sottile was born in Miami in 1942. After serving in the US Army from 1962 to 1965, he received a BS from Florida State University in 1969 and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Georgia in 1974.

He was a diplomate of the American Academy of Microbiology. His professional pursuits included public health, education and the environment; his personal passions were his family and Trinity Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Rockford; daughter Caroline Sottile (Kevin Davis) and son Richard Sottile (Jaime) of Grand Rapids; sister Joan Hawkins of Georgia; and brother William Smoak (Jill) of Florida.

He was predeceased by his sister, Cynthia Wepsala.

“He was a good friend, a good person, good with the students and always willing to help when you needed some assistance,” Adler said. “I realize that it may seem trite to say this, but he truly will be missed.”

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 21, at noon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Suite F, #227, 1659 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA 95118-5226.