Arthur "Bill" Thorson

Arthur William "Bill" Thorson, 91, formerly of Morton, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Peoria. He was born on August 2, 1931, in Sioux Falls, SD to Arthur and Clara (Duhn) Thorson.

Bill grew up in Minneapolis, MN, graduated from Roosevelt High School, and met his future wife, Roselind "Lynn" (Knutson), on Christmas break at Augsburg College. They eloped to Mason City, IA, in October of 1951, with Bill later earning a BA degree in Business Administration in 1954. Bill began his career in sales, first working for Texaco Oil, then transitioned to television, working at two stations in Duluth, MN. His infectious smile, upbeat attitude, and honesty made him very successful. In 1970, Bill moved his family to Morton and began working at Channel 19, currently WHOI. Though offered several jobs in larger TV markets over the years, "Dollar" Bill preferred the family-friendly Peoria area. He retired in 1987 as Vice President and General Sales Manager.

Bill then enjoyed a lengthy retirement, first spending summers at a cabin on Lake Metigoshe and Fargo in ND and winters in Yuma East, AZ. After Lynn passed away in January of 2001, Bill was married for the second time in December of 2002 to Patricia (Collins) Thorson and relocated to Ft. Myers, FL. She preceded him in death in October 2017. He was also preceded in death by his sisters Mary Thannum of Shell Lake, WI, and Janice Ebert of Owatonna, MN and a daughter-in-law Debra (Sweet) Thorson of St. Petersburg, FL.

Bill is survived by his sister Carol (Gordon) Forsberg of Ft. Myers, FL, four sons, Stephen (Cindy) of Germantown Hills, IL, David of East Patchouge, NY, Paul of Minot, ND, Timothy (Gail) of Morton, IL and stepdaughter Diane Tridle of Ft. Myers, FL. Also, surviving are five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Bill's hobbies included duck hunting, trapshooting, golf, swimming, travel, watching sports, and reading. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings football fan and a longtime follower of the Minneapolis/LA Lakers and the University of Arizona basketball teams. He enjoyed the TV station trips to Europe and the Caribbean and personal travel throughout the western United States. Italy and Hawaii were two of his favorite places, and W.E.B. Griffin was his favorite author.

Cremation will be accorded by Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the Freedom Hall in Morton. The family will begin receiving friends one hour prior. The Thorson family would also like to thank the staff at Snyder Village and Unity-Point for the excellent care provided to Bill over the last three and a half years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Snyder Village, the American Heart Association, or Ducks Unlimited.

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