William M. Gordon

William McDonald Gordon passed away peacefully in his South Range, Wisconsin home on January 22, 2025.

We all like to think it was whilst he was watching ‘Jeopardy’—his and his late mother’s favorite TV show. Her spirit was right next to him and now they are watching it together.

Big Bill (as he was affectionately known—being six feet, eight inches tall) was a screamingly funny man; his humor ran the gamut from slapstick to deeply intellectual and subtle.

He developed a love of Skydiving early in his full life–the friends and family he created there are bonds unbroken to this day. He was loved not only for his immense (sometimes too much) generosity and sense of fun, but for the deep and fragile sensitivity that his giant frame concealed.

So he thought. We all knew better, Big Bill…

He was also passionate about motorcycles and taught his sister Lisa how to ride her brand-new Sportster (which she stupidly purchased having only ridden a minibike previously) in the Miller Mall parking lot between 6 & 8 one morning.  He cautioned her after placing it in the family garage to just leave it there until the next day.

Then he went off to Superior Skydive at the beloved Apollo Bar. It is a clear testament to his kindness and forgiveness that when she pulled up to the drop zone/airstrip/Apollo bar three hours later—freezing and begging him to ride it back to Pike Lake (18 miles) for her—he didn’t hesitate to do so, and he didn’t let the Boys make TOO much fun of her.

He would do almost anything for almost anyone. That he will be deeply missed and mourned by the hundreds of people who knew him and thus loved him is an understatement without measure.

He is survived by the entire Androsky Family—of which Gary and Mark are kindly serving as his appointed next of kin in the absence of the following due to health reasons:

Bill’s sister Lisa Scott Gordon of Lewes, East Sussex, United Kingdom and his half-sisters, Susan Myre of Portland, Oregon & Ann Gordon-Puma of Brighton Cancer Hospice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Susan Myre has two daughters, Laura and Beth. They adored their Uncle Big Bill.

The loss of our Big Bill was also a loss to everyone who knew him.

And of course there’s more to his story…

Born April 3, 1956, he graduated from Proctor High School in 1974. He enjoyed summers on Pike Lake and entered the US Navy after graduating.

A struggling musician, he joined a couple of bands picking his guitar.  But his talent was as a manager and promoter for his Duluth-based group “Blind Justice”. Bill once helped book the band to open for famed Canned Heat (Going Up the Country) of Woodstock fame. You see, Bill fibbed Canned’s manager into believing Blind Justice was on tour and had a huge discography.  Partial truth.

Upon his return from service, he ended up “working for the man” at the DM&IR railway for over 25 years.  He took a tour of the USSR Soviet Union to check the vodka supply.  He found pride in learning some of the language and bartering for gifts to bring stateside.

In 1981, he joined the Superior Skydivers. You’d think his size would be a challenge, but he actually became a very good freefaller, but sometimes landings were a problem.  He amassed close to 2,000 jumps or more, depending on how many cold beverages he had. After retiring from the skies, he was on staff at Skydive Superior and was Head Mucky Muck in Charge of ****ing Up. He’d gather the newest skydivers around the campfire and share the best stories of the good ole’ days of skydiving.  Afterall, he was a SKYGOD.

Bill was known for his one liners, nicknames, slang, and comebacks. Everyone that knew him came away with at least one BILLISM or has them locked into memory. AKA Dr. Wayne King. You may have enjoyed a cocktail with him at Who’s Bar, Upper Deck, or Larson’s Bar.

Mr. Gordon was an avid reader of the New York Times, Star Tribune, and DNT. All of which he read daily - cover to back page. He was up to date on current events, sports, weather, and of course politics. He never met a crossword puzzle he couldn’t finish.

Big Bill loved his fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, especially his best pals at Harley Davidson Sports Center and Hog Pen. He was a member of The Patriot Guide and most recently he was involved as a master ABATE’r.

He volunteered for many years with Special Olympics. A driver and a coach. Bill also co-managed and was the lead bartender at the Head of Lakes Fair Beer Garden to help with fundraising. Bill once owned a funeral hearse for bar hopping, a party bus for parties, and a hot dog cart for wieners.

An animal lover, he missed his beloved dog Phideaux, neighborhood horse George, cat Spitty, and most recently was kept company by his feline friend Buddy.

Bill was employed by PTI, a company that drives and delivers railroad employees to their destinations. He made many-a-friend in the hours of chaperoning his fellow railroad brethren.

Bill was a Wheel of Fortune Wheel watcher, but his passion was Jeopardy. Rarely was there a question Bill didn’t know.

I’ll take GREAT GUYS for $500 Alex…

THIS MAN WAS THE GREATEST GUY EVER…

(answer) What is BILL GORDON?

And there will be no discussion.

He was a good boy.

Bill deserves a helluva party and a celebration.

Saturday, February 15, 2025 - Log Cabin Tavern, 2821 County Rd E, South Range, WI.

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Remembering Bill with friendship and photos

3:00 pm A prayer with music provided by lifelong friends

3:30 pm Open microphone to share your best Bill story

Please stay all night as a live band will be playing 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

And let’s enjoy many Cheers to Bill!

In lieu of flowers, a Go Fund Me is being set up to help pay for the Celebration of Life.  Check back for a link.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street in Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com .