William ‘Bill’ Gordon, 86, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully on December 6, 2022 after a difficult battle with dementia. He was the loving son of Edward and Ruth Gordon and brother to Francis and Marjorie.

Bill was born and raised on a farm in Highland, Kansas where he learned the value of hard work and his lifetime love of horses. He attended a one-room country school in his youth before completing Highland junior college and graduating from Kansas State University in 1960. While at K-State he enjoyed the brotherhood of the newly established chapter of Delta Upsilon fraternity, serving for a time as chapter President. At K-State, he also he met and married his wife Rosemary. They enjoyed a wonderful 61 years together.

Following college, Bill taught vocational agriculture in Burlingame, KS while also serving in the Air Force Reserves. In 1963 he started as a Farm Loan Rep with John Hancock Insurance Company covering Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado. Bill would continue with John Hancock for the remainder of his career, 35 years, culminating with his role as President and CEO of the Hancock Natural Resource Group, a John Hancock subsidiary. His career took him and his family from Kansas to Dallas, Texas and later Boston, Massachusetts where they enjoyed living in the Boston suburb of Wellesley.

After retirement, Bill and Rosemary enjoyed an active life including tennis, golf and travel. Bill loved to ride his horse Mac on trails north of their Scottsdale home and he also spent time on his other passion, managing the farm where he was raised.

Bill is survived by his wife Rosemary and daughters, Susan (Ivan)-North Hollywood, CA and Mary Jo (Jim)-Scottsdale, AZ. Bill and Rosemary were also blessed with two grandchildren, Ella and Ava. Family and faith were always important to Bill. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather and a loyal friend.

“We will miss his humor, his caring ways and his strong and steady presence.”

The family will meet with friends starting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland with services to follow at 11 a.m. Pastor Jerry Petering will officiate. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Cemetery sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.

A special remembrance or story may be shared with the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com