William Burton Madson

"Separate your needs from your wants" was Bill's mantra in life, along with "don't sweat the small stuff, it's all small stuff"! A truly dedicated husband for 68 years to his surviving wife Orphie. Loving father to Sharon and Bill; adoring grandfather to twins Allie and Max; and special father-in-law to Jason Bridge and Yvonne Madson. Preceded in death by his brothers John and Wes, survived by his sister Margaret Link and brothers Harold and Glenn. Bill was born in Great Falls, Montana. After the death of his father at age nine, his mother Laura moved the family to Fargo, ND. As the US entered into World War II, all five brothers joined the armed services. Bill joined the Merchant Marines, becoming a 1st Lt. Radio Operator. He endured eight anxious roundtrips across the Atlantic. After the war Bill drove his wife and daughter to their new life in Pasadena, CA. in 1945. Bill's 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 LA and Orange Counties before selling to the Vons Supermarket chain. While living in Altadena, Bill became 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 he served on Pasadena Rose Parade committees when time permitted. Bill's love for golf made him begin an annual Pantry Supermarket 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, AZ, 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. Even after he wanted to vacate the position his community would have none of that. Bill passed into God's loving hands very peacefully at Bill and Yvonne's home, December 17th at 9:00 a.m. 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; a strong desire to participate and be involved in supporting his community and family. Bill: friend, father, grandfather, 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. The family wishes to thank St. Mark Lutheran Church for all the prayers and support as well as the Memorial Hospice team of Santa Rosa. Interment will be January 14th at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary in Sebastopol, followed on January 15th, with a memorial service at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa.