Bill Gordon

With a mixture of sadness and gratitude, we celebrate the life of William A. Gordon, or “Bill” to all those who met him. Bill passed away on March 27, 2026, after a brief illness with his youngest daughter and grandson by his side. A true pillar of kindness, he lived a life filled with love for family, music and the great outdoors. Bill was never too shy to share a story, a picture, or his talent for playing the drums.

Bill was born on September 21, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Frank Leslie and Dorothy Ellen Ford Gordon. In 1930, as a very young boy, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma when his father’s job was transferred. Due to the Recession (Depression), money was tough and his father, who played the trombone, formed the Tulsa Club Orchestra along with 10 other musicians. The band would bring many travels for the family and most importantly, Bill’s love of music and playing the drums. His grandfather gave him his first drum set and he never stopped playing.

In 1933, Bill and his mom and dad moved back to Minneapolis to be close to grandparents while his father travelled with his orchestra. Bill would attend grade school through Middle School in Minnesota and truly enjoyed his outdoor adventures. Around 1940, Bill and his parents moved to Winetka, Illinois and Bill would attend and graduate from Nutrier High School in 1943. Bill shared many stories of famous people who also attended Nutrier at the same time, Rock Hudson and Peter Graves to name a few. He made lasting friendships along the way and always smiled sharing those memories.

Bill was 17 when he answered his call to serve his country and enlisted in the Navy. Although a foot injury kept Bill from flying, he took great pride in his time in the service, attending Great Lakes Navy Training Center, acceptance and completion of Radio Materiel School, teaching Radar, Radio and Sonar, Provost Marshall duty and his true love, playing drums with the Navy band. Bill was honorably discharged on July 12, 1946, from the Navy. Bill went on to earn his Bachelors Degree in Business from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He was a proud member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

After graduation, Bill worked for Sears Roebuck in Chicago. During his time at Sears, Bill asked for 6 weeks off to travel cross country visiting the great National Parks. He also was able to work at Glacier National Park, by far his most favorite park to this day. The adventure made a lasting impact on Bill and would be the beginning of a lifetime of moves and travel adventures that would span 48 states and 3 countries. To Bill’s surprise, he returned to Chicago and his Sears job was waiting for him. Bill and his parents continued to move across the country with the Orchestra and Bill’s work. Although the moving was challenging, the scenery and memorable experiences made it worth it and provided great storytelling.

Bill and his parents made their final move to Omaha, Nebraska and Bill took a job in advertising with Mutual of Omaha in 1956. He had the great opportunity to work on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. During his years at Mutual he greeted celebrities and 2 Presidents, was a judge for the Miss Omaha Pageants, and a member of the Omaha Jaycees. Bill retired in 1988 after 32 years.

Bill considered his true accomplishment was marrying Kathleen Grover 1 year after a blind date in 1957. They raised 4 children together while building a home, earning graduate degrees, working full-time and devoting their life to their children. Kathleen passed in 2017 after 60 years of marriage. Bill remained in the home they built until his death. They were blessed with 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Bill continued to drum, give speeches about his adventures, volunteer at the airport and reading to children, active in Golden K Kiwanis, usher with the Omaha Playhouse for 65 years and travel with his children.

Bill retired his drumsticks for the final time on March 27, 2026. Bill will surely be missed. He is survived by his children, Susan, Steve, Cheryl, and Bob (Anji); 4 grandchildren, Kirsten (Eric) Guffey, Korbin, Jacob, and Nathan; and 1 great-grandchild, Ellie Guffey.

Visitation will be held at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Rockbrook United Methodist Church on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Interment will take place at Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park, 5701 Center Street, Omaha.