William "Bill" Mons Mahlum

William (Bill) Mons Mahlum, deeply loved by family, friends, and (almost) all who knew him, died on June 10, 2025. Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Bill was raised in Duluth by his mother, Marie Koop Mahlum, after the early death of his father, Milton Mons Mahlum, when Bill was just four years old. Shaped by the strength of his mother and the warmth of his four older siblings, Bill carried a deep sense of generosity, purpose, and joy throughout his life. He graduated from Duluth Central High School and went on to earn both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Early in his legal career, Bill moved with his young family to Washington, D.C., where he worked for a U.S. congressman and then on Hubert H. Humphrey's presidential campaign. He returned to St. Paul in 1968, when he met and co-founded a law practice with George Latimer, who would go on to serve as Mayor of St. Paul. Bill and George remained close friends for the rest of their lives. 

Bill's professional life was devoted to creating lasting, positive change. He led efforts to improve public transit accessibility for people with disabilities in the Twin Cities, served as the first chair of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and played a key role in founding the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), where he later served on the Board of Directors and remained a trusted advisor. As General Counsel to District Energy St. Paul until his retirement in 2013, Bill helped build and sustain an innovative, renewable energy system that serves the city to this day. A visionary strategist and bridge-builder, Bill lived by the belief that one could "do well by doing good," and he proved it throughout a nearly five-decade career devoted to equity, inclusion, and service.

Bill's passion for life was infectious. He was known for his booming laughter, boundless curiosity, and unshakable optimism. He loved bringing people together, whether at family gatherings, political events, in his booth at the Downtowner, on annual fishing trips to Guardian Eagle, or weekends at the cabin. He loved music-especially opera-was an avid reader, world traveler, news junkie, and never passed up the chance to tell a good story (or a fish tale). He was a steadfast friend and carefully maintained his friendships. Above all, Bill adored his family and was endlessly proud of and delighted by his grandchildren. He was the center of every room, always ready with a hug, a laugh, or a helping hand. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; siblings John (Mary) Mahlum, Jeanne (Norm) Hunt, Mary (John) Connell; and brother-in-law Art Conlon. 

He is survived and profoundly missed by his beloved wife and partner of 47 years, Donna Allan; sister Breta Conlon; sons William Jr., James (Lucy Curry), and Thomas Mahlum; bonus family Barbara (Sheryl Raithel), Stacy, and Diane Allan, Bryan (Darla) and Shawn (Linda) Clayton; ten cherished grandchildren: Camille, Leigh (Matt Garity), Cole, Jon, Ellery, Monte, Mitchell, and Brennan Mahlum, and Benjamin and Raymond Hecker; three perfect great-grandchildren, Mila, Arlo, and Callum Garity; son Brad London and his family; and his extended family clan of nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Episcopal Homes for their compassion and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota or to a human rights organization of your choice. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on July 17, 2025, from 3-6 pm at the Downtowner  in St. Paul, where everybody knew his name.