William R. "Bill" Torguson, Sr., 84 of Superior, died Tues. 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 1947-55; he then worked for the City of Superior Sanitation Dept. from 1955-56. Bill was a member of the Superior Fire Department from 1956 until his retirement in 1985 as a Captain / Fire Inspector.

He loved the game of softball. He played for 29 years during which he was the manager for 7years 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 1951-60; a board member of the Blood Bank for 22 years, two years of which he was President; a board member of the Fire Department Credit Union for 18 years, and was Chairman of the Board for 2 years; Executive Board member of the Wisconsin State Firefighters for 8 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 7 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, 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; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Norma Lea.

Visitation will be on Fri. June 3, from 5-7pm in the Downs Funeral Home and continue on Sat. June 4, from 10 until the 11 a.m. Service at Christ Lutheran Church with Rev. David Schoessow as officiant. Interment will be in Nemadji Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post No. 435 Honor Guard.

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 Avenue, Superior, WI 54880.