William R. Gorsuch passed away on September 28, 2007 at the age of 86 at Caring Bridges Assisted Living Home in Fairbanks, Alaska. William was born on August 9, 1921, in Chicago to Helen Louise and Jessie Clyde Gorsuch. He attended Finger Grade School and Pullman High School in Chicago. He later moved to California where he graduated from South Pasadena High School and attended Pasadena City College.

William had a busy working career. He worked at the California Institute of Technology (research on rockets and atom bombs); Rheem Manufacturing Company (supervisor for 8mm mortar shells for the Korean War); pharmaceutical salesman, restaurant owner, and executive chef in Oklahoma City. He held many prestigious executive chef positions in hotels and country clubs across the Midwest. He portrayed Santa Claus for 20 years when visiting Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. He continued to delight children by playing Santa Claus at Fred Meyer West in Fairbanks for ten years. William donated the proceeds from pictures taken with Santa to the Dyslexia Language Disorders organization.

He was the president of the Golden North Kiwanis International from 1989-1990. William also had a passion for oil painting, traveling, and camping. He was proud to be a Master Mason, 32^nd degree Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Guthrie, Orient of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Blue Lodge No. 36, Oklahoma City for 46 years. He was also a member of the Eastern Star and was a lifetime Blue Temple Shriner of Alaska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Herbert and Keith Gorsuch. He is survived by his wife, Rhoeine Jane; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Everett Johns of Idaho; niece, nephew, and step-children.