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William George "Bill" Slack
William George "Bill" Slack
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William Slack Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Linda
May 6, 2025
Time moves along, my love and respect for all that you are and all that I experienced as your baby sister !! I will never stop honoring your life and legacy in art and education
Linda Kay
Gwendolyn Montgomery
November 12, 2024
My condolences to Butch's family. I remember Butch. I met him through Pheobie, when we attended Kent State. Butch would come to Kent and take us back to Akron, and their mom would feed us. He was such a talented artist, and so kind. Please accept my condolences. Gwen Montgomery (formerly Davison).
Linda Kay Slack
May 14, 2023
...it is emotional to acknowledge my brother's physical presence is not accessible or available to me. I interact with his spiritual energy every day! I miss him and his special way of loving all of us ...
I will miss him forever! Thank you to EVERYONE who continues to post memories and stories about this amazing man. On behalf of our family, we share your sentiments and happy memories. Be well
Cynthia
November 1, 2022
During graduate school back in early 1990s, Mr Slack was my mentor-teacher. He was passionate about art and passionate about teaching. In the early days I struggled to establish authority in his class, but after a few weeks of observing and trying to follow his manner of calm authority, he called me 'the velvet hammer'. That memory makes me laugh to this day. I wrote a children's book this year (2022), A Fish Called Androemda, and Mr. Humphries is modelled after Mr. Slack. RIP Mr. Slack, and thank you for being a part of my professional and creative life journey.
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Sarah Louis /Fritz
April 1, 2021
I loved Bill Slack, he was my OG art mentor and I absolutely love his art. I only just recently realized how much impact he had on me visually, because in art school (I was in the first class at MCAE) he didn't share much of his own work, but he gave me a print of a piece at a group show he was in, and even just from that one work of art I subconsciously picked up a lot of what he was putting down and see it in my own work now. I would love to see more of his art, which is what I was googling when I found this page, if anyone knows where to find ore images of his work let me know!
J S
September 23, 2019
Mr slack was my middle school art school teacher Idk why but he crossed my mind randomly just now. I was always the trouble child and we always bumped heads but I remember our first paint assignment I must have surprised him he was amazed! I wont forget him.
linda slack
May 2, 2019
yesterday was his 68th birthday! ...feeling his presence.
I wish I could talk to his wife and stepdaughter...
Christine Rietsch
April 2, 2018
I met Bill as one of his nurses. We did draw together and talked a lot. I absolutely adored him, and I'm glad he was part of my life for the short time he was. He even encouraged my children as well as myself to keep perusing art--which is a big passion of mine. I am taking more time teaching children art by face painting at Twin Cities Pagan Pride, and holding art classes when I can.
I have missed him a lot.
Linda Slacck
May 24, 2013
To the Minneapolis circle of extended family, colleagues and friends and anyone leaving a comment on this site we will have Celebration service will be held Saturday, June 1 2013 from 1:00 until 4:00 pm at Church of Christ located at Vernon Odom Blvd. Wear bright colors or white. Condolences and flowers can be sent to 676 Noble Avenue, Akron OH 44320.
Candy Price
May 18, 2013
Fond memories of a role model I admired as a youth, "Butch" was ahead of his time. Thank you 'Other Brother'...Rest in Peace. Love to all the family.
Candy Price
mikey baldwin
May 18, 2013
my man
Siri
May 17, 2013
Reading the article about Bill's impact at Perpich brought back so many memories of those early days. His passion was a critical factor to the success in those early years. He was an incredible educator and mentor and will forever live in our memories for those of us from the first class at MCAE/PCAE. He will be missed.
Sandy McGowan
May 17, 2013
There are few words ......just know that those who knew him, love him still. Praying for you, Linda, and your entire family.
May 17, 2013
I loved Bill Slack. He was my mentor and became a friend. He was always there for me when I needed advise in my life or in the classroom. I have never seen a teacher like Bill. His students loved him and he loved and saw the best in them. There is not a day that I don't think of him. He will be dearly missed.
Shane Eady
Margaret Swenson
May 17, 2013
I knew Bill as a fellow art teacher in Minneapolis. I will always remember him for his talent as an artist, his thoughtfulness, and his caring demeanor. I attended a training in his classroom once and I was amazed at the nice studio area and computer lab he had arranged for his students. If I'm remembering correctly, he slowly acquired the computers through grants he had written so that each student would have one to work on when the classes did digital art. He was a very kind colleague who was well respected and he will be greatly missed.
Jan Nethercut
May 16, 2013
I worked with Bill for many years at Andersen, and have such wonderful memories of this gentle giant. He was so very talented, creative, funny, caring and so much a part of all that went on. Every year he told my students that I had another job - that I was "Crunch" the Timberwolves mascot. They believed him of course, even though I am 5'1". Bill definitely made this world a better place through his art and through his character. He will be missed by many!
Linda (baby sis) daughter April & gdaughter ~ Nsaa
Linda "baby sis" Slack
May 16, 2013
...it is so wonderful to hear all of the sentiments from the MPLS community. Please send any pictures of Bill or his art if you are willing to take a photo of the art you have and send it to my email address. So much love and respect is cherished more than you know. The family is happy to share our love of "Bill". Thank you all so much!
May 2012 when I visited for the whole month..
Linda "baby sis" Slack
May 16, 2013
Cynthia Berger
May 15, 2013
I was Bill's student teacher, 17 years ago. He was always encouraging and so funny, he had a real gift both as a teacher and as an artist. I will miss you Bill.
May 15, 2013
I am sitting here looking at a print Bill made of some jazz musicians that hangs in my office. What a talent as an artist AND as a teacher. I was fortunate to have worked with Bill at Andersen where I saw him help many students develop serious art skills. He is one of those educators who truly believes all kids have greatness. He was an innovative colleague who once helped me plan a unit that combined the math ideas we were learning in class with art projects that used the same concepts. What a creative genius! My thoughts and prayers to Bill's family & friends. Nancy Nutting
Michael Hensley
May 15, 2013
I was so blessed to have worked with Bill Slack at NSJ. He gave me great advice and was so supportive of my efforts to help educate our students in the arts. He also gave me an extra-large umbrella --from one "Big Man" to another -- and told me it would keep my big butt high and dry at bus duty. I will always think of him fondly and often.
Stacy Bondeson
May 15, 2013
Bill was an amazing man. He will be missed.
Seexeng Lee
May 15, 2013
Mr. Slack was my 5th grade art teacher at Wilder Elementary. He then became a mentor and a colleague of mine in MPS. Had it not been for him and other amazing art educators like him, a refugee like me wouldn't have become the person that I am today. I will miss you dearly Mr. Slack! =(
May 15, 2013
He was my mentor and inspiration and i will miss him. His family is in my prayers. Phyllis Pride, Mpls, MN
Betsy Gabler
May 15, 2013
Bill was my neighbor and there was nothing better than coming 'home' to him surveying the neighborhood from his balcony. Lovely spirit and great man. Thoughts and support go out to his family and friends circle.
Joel and Aura Beck
May 15, 2013
One of the great art educators the district has known and a wonderful friend. My family and I will miss him greatly.
Tim Jungwirth
May 15, 2013
Bill was a wonderful colleague to start my career with: understanding, helpful, but most of all, FUNNY! My prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.
May 15, 2013
Bill made a big difference for students he taught at Nellie Stone Johnson. He loved art and passed that on. He had high expectations of students and he knew some needed something more or different from what he offered the whole group. I really liked this good man and am glad to be reminded of him, even as he has left this human life we know.
Bonnie Beckel
School Social Worker
..the way "we" will remember "Bill"
Linda Slack
May 15, 2013
Rhonda El-Said
May 15, 2013
I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Slack and Andersen Elementary School and was also fortunate enough to have him as the art teacher for 3 of my children. He was a great teacher and a great man who always made everyone laugh. My condolences to his family.
Elizabeth-Ann Lasley
May 14, 2013
My gentle giant gave me away standing in for my father on my wedding day to Steven. So many fishing trips...oh those crappies. Lv u brother. Rest in God's eternal love.
Denise Cronin
May 14, 2013
Bill was an inspiration to me when I started my art teaching career in MPS. Many thanks to him for lighting the way. He will be missed by his colleagues.
Mary Davis
May 14, 2013
Bill was a good friend and Arts Colleague with me at Nellie Stone Johnson School. He was a great influence to the kids and a huge inspiration for me as a teacher. I will miss Bill.
Mary Davis
Maryann Johnson
May 14, 2013
My prayers go out to the family during this time of sorrow May your brother Rest In Peace
Gabrielle Bliss
May 14, 2013
Oh, how we will miss you Bill! Your insight, your gentle words, your calm presence. You have touched so many many people through your art and teaching. Rest happy now. Create often.
Such a gift to have known you.
Jeffrey Groves
May 14, 2013
Old school values and morals with a twist of new school, that was Mr Slack to me. Thank you for the conversations we had at NSJ. RIP!!!!
Cindy Zwicky
May 13, 2013
A gifted man, wonderful artist and talented teacher, Bill touched all he met. I will miss his bright smile and generous spirit.
Mark Bonine
May 13, 2013
I had the pleasure to work with Bill at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School. He was a very talented artist and inspired many students. He will be missed.
Linda Slack
May 12, 2013
Greetings to all of my brothers colleagues, friends, and extended family. Thank you for loving and appreciating my wonderful brother as his MPLS family. He was so proud and attached to the people he loved there. Together will remember him and hold him in our hearts lovingly.
Kathleen McCartin
May 12, 2013
Bill was one of the best teachers I ever knew. It was my privilege to have known and worked with him. Something he said that I will never forget and that changed my thinking was that we were not a melting pot but a giant mixed salad. Simple and so true. Thank you to a man who made this world and all he touched better.
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4343 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
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