William R. “Bill” Torguson

William R. “Bill” Torguson, Sr., 84 of Superior, died Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at Silverado Senior Living Center in The Woodlands, Texas.

Bill was born in Glenwood, Minn., on July 27, 1926, the son of Cora M. (Susag) and John A. Torguson. They moved to Superior when Bill was five and he resided there for 78 years. At the time of his death, he was living in Texas with his son, Bill Jr.

A member of the Superior Central High class of 1945, he enlisted in the Navy at age 17 after his junior year serving from 1944-1946 and was discharged as a 3rd Class Petty Officer. He went on to UWS for two years and was a member of the FEX Fraternity.

Bill started his employment as a storekeeper for the Great Northern Railroad from 1947 to 1955; he then worked for the City of Superior Sanitation Department from 1955 to 1956. Bill was a member of the Superior Fire Department from 1956 until his retirement in 1985 as a captain and fire inspector.

He loved the game of softball. He played for 29 years during which he was the manager for seven years of the Frankie’s Tavern Team, which was the only Superior team ever to win the Northwest Tournament (1954).

He was president of the Superior Softball Association from 1951 to 1960; a blood bank board member for 22 years including two years as president; a board member of the Fire Department Credit Union for 18 years and chairman of the board for two years; and an executive board member of the Wisconsin State Firefighters for eight years. He served on the executive board of the Fire House Museum; and he was a member of the Jaycees and sang in the JC Follies for seven years. He was a member of the Thomas F. Stein V. F. W. Post No. 1091 and volunteered at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center as a greeter.

Bill was a member of Christ Lutheran Church for 55 years, where he was actively involved in the choir, served as a deacon, assisted with pasty sales, served as a parking attendant at church bazaars and delivered tapes to the homebound.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florence E. (Beetcher); a son, Jack Torguson; and a brother, John A. “Jack” Torguson, Jr.

Bill is survived by his children, William R. “Bill” (Roberta McMeekin) Torguson, Jr., Susan (Gene) Schrieffer, Jeffrey (Teri Palmer) Torguson, Scott Torguson and Nancy Torguson; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Norma Lea.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 3 in Downs Funeral Home and continues at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4 until the 11 a.m. service at Christ Lutheran Church with Rev. David Schoessow as officiate. Interment will be in Nemadji Cemetery where the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435 Honor Guard will accord military honors.

If desired, memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the National Fire Safety Council Inc., and mailed to the Superior Fire Department, 3326 Tower Ave., Superior, WI 54880.

Sign the online guest book or send condolences at www.downsfh.com.

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