DETROIT — Fr. William Bonnici, said those close to him, will be remembered as a faithful priest and model of holiness.

“Fr. Bonnici was a very simple and holy priest, and was a very great example to us in the way of holiness,” said Camille Klimecki, who worked with him twice during his years in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“He had an engaging smile for everyone, and when he listened to you, it was as if no one else in the world mattered at that moment. Untold peoples’ lives have been touched by his deep compassion and humility,” said Klimicki, who was a part-time organist while at St. David of Wales Parish in Detroit with Fr. Bonnici in the early 1980s and also as school counselor while he was at St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township, a decade later.

Fr. Bonnici wrestled with cancer late in his life, but as a younger man enjoyed hiking and soccer, as well as reading.

Fr. Bonnici died July 13. He was 71.

William Charles Bonnici was born June 19, 1941, in Msida, Malta, to Hector and Vincenza (Pisani) Bonnici. He attended schools in Malta, including Dockyard Technical College and St. Agatha Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood March 11, 1967, at St. John’s Cathedral in Valletta, Malta.

He came to Detroit in 1973, and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit on July 16, 1979.

In the archdiocese, Fr. Bonnici served as an associate pastor at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Detroit (1973-75); St. Bernadette Parish, Dearborn (1975-77); St. Alfred Parish, Taylor (1978-79); and St. Matthew Parish, Detroit (1979-81).

He served as pastor of St. David of Wales Parish, Detroit (1981-84); Sacred Heart of the Hills Parish, Auburn Hills (1984-90); St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1990-93); Sacred Heart Parish, Roseville (1996-2004); and St. Matthias Parish, Sterling Heights (2004-07).

Fr. Bonnici also was a chaplain at William Beaumont Hospital, Troy; Crittenton Hospital, Rochester; and Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills at various times, in addition to his parochial assignments.

In addition, he served as vicar of the old East Macomb Vicariate (1993-96), and was also the recipient of a special award for service to the Maltese community.

Fr. Bonnici is survived by a brother, Joseph; two sisters, Mary Sultana and Freda Mifsud; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated July 18 at Sacred Heart of the Hills Church in Auburn Hills. Burial was in Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley.

Condolences may be sent to Mary Sultana, 309 High Park Avenue, Toronto, Ont., Canada M6P 2S8.