William Patrick Dixon

1943 - 2025

Dixon, William Patrick

December 12, 1943 - January 8, 2025

Bill Dixon could not abide injustice. He fought it all his life, often overcoming and defeating it. His partner in many of these battles, as in so much of his life, was his wife Amy. His struggle has ended after 81 remarkable years. Bill died at home with Amy by his side on the night of January 8, following a bout of prostate cancer which began in 2024. Bill loved being from Buffalo, New York and loved being in his homes in Monona, Wisconsin and Tubac, Arizona. He was a graduate of St. Joe's Collegiate, the University of Buffalo and UB Law. Bill was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He was a patriot who believed in a duty to make America better; a golfer who knew he could make himself better; and a fierce advocate who made others' lives better. Among his dearest friends were people loved by millions - Jimmy Carter, George McGovern, Jimmy Buffett and Hunter Thompson; as well as some other fine people only Bill could love. He had a huge heart, a giant sense of humor, and an even bigger sense of loyalty. Bill was a civil rights attorney. He left Buffalo the day after his law school graduation and moved to Wisconsin. He took a leave from his law firm to lead the McGovern primary victory and the state delegation to the convention in Miami. Bill then returned to Wisconsin. After serving as counsel to Governor Pat Lucey, Bill was recruited to Washington. Following the Nixon impeachment, he was the only House staffer permitted to listen to the unedited Watergate tapes and wrote "The Dixon Memos" laying out the charges and evidence for members of Congress. Bill then joined the House Banking Committee and drafted consumer legislation which still protects Americans today. Bill went on to support the campaigns of President Jinny Carter and Gary Hart. He was a U.S. Ambassador to the World Bank, confirmed by the Senate at only 34. He managed the 1980 Democratic National Convention, a telethon for Norman Lear, and Wisconsin's banking commission. He hated injustice but he loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Amy (Eberhardt); two children from his first marriage, Bill and Meaghan; Meaghan's husband Brad Clawsie; grandchildren William Patrick Hill-Dixon, Haley and Ethan Clawsie; his great-grandson Will Dixon; and his loving siblings Patricia M. Doyle, Thomas J. Dixon and his wife Frances, Amber M. Dixon, and John L. Dixon. He was preceded in death by his son Michael, his parents William Joseph and Monica Lahiff Dixon, and his beloved brother-in-law, George Doyle. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held in Madison. In lieu of flowers, people are encouraged to donate to anyone involved in a good fight. For online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com.