William MacGuire Gordon, 89, lived a fulfilling and enjoyable life as a father, husband, dog-lover, water skier, teacher, fraternity advisor, world traveler, school de-segregator, and book lover. He died on June 23, 2024.
After graduating from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill., his love of learning took Bill to Miami of Ohio, where he earned a B.S. and M.A., and Indiana University, where he earned an Ed.D. He then returned to Miami as a professor in the Education Department. There he became the advisor to his beloved Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
His teaching career was at all grade levels from the first grade to doctoral students, both nationally and internationally. Later after getting his J.D. from the University of South Carolina, and working with USAID in Botswana, he became an expert witness for the Federal Justice Department in the matter of Civil Rights where he became a leading authority on school desegregation and was designated "Consultant to the Courts."
Still dedicated to teaching, he retired from Wright State University as professor emeritus, Educational Leadership.
Returning to Lake Summit full-time in 1999, Bill was a devoted member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, Flat Rock, NC. There he served on the Vestry as both junior and senior wardens, president of the Men's Club, and head chef at the monthly breakfasts.
Bill was the son of Sarah Kendall Dodgen and Russell Lee Gordon. He is survived by his wife Worth Brombacher Gordon, his son William "Billy" Gordon (Katharine) of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and his daughter Kathryn Gordon Warmerdam (Kees) of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Bill was also a thoughtful step-father to Sam Haverstick (Natasha) of Floyd County, Ind., and Ben Haverstick (Amy) of Harbor Springs, Mich. He will be missed by his beautiful grandchildren: Aukje, Bas, Abigail, Camie, Phoebe, Charlie, Jack, Alex and Walker. Bill is survived by his sister Sallie Page and niece Kendall Page, both of Tryon. He was preceded in death by his former wife Patricia Gordon Burke, mother of his two children.
Especially helpful in the last years of his life, the family greatly appreciates the efforts of Amy S. of Tryon, Samantha P. of Hendersonville, the excellent care he received at Tore's Home in East Flat Rock, and the dedicated volunteers of the Green River Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Sigma Phi Epsilon OH Eta, Doc Gordon Leadership Development Endowment, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, or to St. John in the Wilderness, P O Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731 placing "In Memory of Bill Gordon" on the memo line.
