Passing of Master Smith William Richard Fiorini

69-year-old Grayville resident, William Richard Fiorini, died Saturday, June 4 at Deaconess Hospice Care in Evansville, IN. He was a professor and taught for over 40 years, retiring from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, where he taught jewelry making and metalsmithing. He was a knife maker and master blacksmith with membership in the American Bladesmith Society and the Artist's Blacksmith Association of North America. As a knife maker, he spent time in Japan researching Japanese sword making.

Surviving are his wife, Kirsten Skiles of Grayville; his adoptive father, Albert Good of Latrobe; one son, Ian of Grayville; two daughters, Danielle Fiorini of Des Moines, IA and Stella Fiorini of Grayville; one brother, Greg Good of Washington, D.C.; one sister, Jessie Good of Fond du Lac, WI; one grandchild and two nieces.

Mr. Fiorini's remains were cremated, and a memorial service will follow at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Artist's Blacksmith Association of North America, and will be accepted at the Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, which is in charge of the arrangements.