William Burton MADSON

   Another name for William was Bill MADSON.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Obituary: Prescott Daily Courier, 2011, Arizona, USA. 1/8/2011
Obituary: William Burton Madson
February 2, 1921 to December 17, 2010

Bill was born in Great Falls, Mont. After the death of his father at age 9, his mother Laura moved the family to Fargo, N.D.

As the U.S. entered into WWII, all five brothers joined the armed services. Bill joined the Merchant Marines, becoming a 1st Lt. radio operator. He endured eight stressful roundtrips across the Atlantic. After the war, Bill drove his wife and daughter to their new life in Pasadena, Calif., in 1945.

His life's work began immediately as manager of a neighborhood grocery store in Altadena. Bill grew with the company, becoming an integral part of the management team that grew the chain to 22 stores in L.A. and Orange Counties before selling to the Vons Supermarket chain.

While living in Altadena, Bill was a very active member of the Altadena Kiwanis Club for more than 20 years as well as serving on the board of the Lutheran Laymen's League of Pasadena's First Lutheran Church - occasionally serving on the Pasadena Rose Parade committees, when time permitted.

Bill's love for golf made him begin an annual golf tournament that became a coveted invite for sales executives within the supermarket vendor community in Southern California. He joined Industry Hills Country Club, becoming the tournament director for several years. Bill expressed that his favorite trip in his life was an 11-day golfing trip to Scotland with his son Bill, brother Harold and Harold's son Paul.

Bill retired in 1981. Upon his wife Orphie's retirement in 1986, they moved to Prescott, Ariz., becoming members of Prescott Country Club. Bill could not just be totally retired and was soon the president of the Prescott CC homeowners association, serving as president for many years.

Bill passed into God's loving hands very peacefully at Bill and Yvonne's home at 9 a.m. Dec. 17, 2010, in Santa Rosa, Calif.

He is survived by wife Orphie of 68 years; daughter Sharon Bridge; son Bill; grandchildren Allie and Max; son-in-law Jason Bridge; daughter-in-law Yvonne Madson; sister Margaret Link; and brothers Harold and Glenn. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Wes.

As many friends and relatives have attested to since his passing, he was warmly loved by all for his very loving, affectionate, and charismatic personality, and a strong desire to participate and be involved in supporting his community and family. Bill - friend, father, grandfather, uncle - you are truly missed, but your loving soul will sustain us!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that if you desire, please make a contribution to a hospice within your community.

Interment will be Jan. 14, 2011, at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Sebastopol, Calif., followed the next day, Jan. 15, with a memorial service at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa, Calif.


Information provided by survivors.

William married Living