William Gerald Sullivan, 81, died at Madonna Towers on March 2, 2015 of natural causes.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday March 6, 2015 at Madonna Towers Chapel. A visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service on Friday.

He was born on July 26, 1933 in Rochester, MN to Gilbert and Mary (Ryan) Sullivan.

He grew up in Rochester and attended St. Francis Catholic Church. In his youth he learned to play the piano, tenor sax, drums and clarinet. He attended Lourdes High where he worked on the school newspaper, played in the band and was a member National Honor Society. Bill graduated in 1951. In his yearbook he wrote, "good deeds and kind acts live forever".

Bill attended Rochester Junior College, St. Mary's College in Winona and graduated from the University of Minnesota. Following college he was District Agent in Rochester for New England Life Insurance Company and later was an advertising salesman for KROC Radio. In December 1956, he joined the Post Bulletin as the Classifieds Advertising Manager where he served for 15 years. Bill talked about his love for the PB stating, " those were some of my best years." He left the Post Bulletin and began working for Gimbert Realty in 1978 and eventually branched off on his own with Sullivan Realty. He worked in real estate for 20 years. In his later years he worked for Fiksdal Hotel as an afternoon driver. Bill enjoyed visiting with interesting people from all over the world.

He was a past member of the United Way Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of Hiawatha District Boy Scouts, a member of the Kiwanis Club, Board of Realtors and Rochester Home Builders.

In his earlier years, Bill enjoyed traveling with his friends, the Wellhavens'. He was a devoted sports fan, enjoyed his coffee club at Hy-Vee Barlows, and loved to play bingo. He liked to decorate for the holidays, especially St. Patrick's Day, because of his Irish heritage. He enjoyed making people laugh and often had a new Ole and Lena joke to share with staff, residents, friends and family.

Survivors include a brother James (Anita) Sullivan of Rochester; two nephews, Mike (Amy) Sullivan and Pat Sullivan, both of Rochester; and a niece Alicia Sullivan of California. Bill is also survived by four great nephews Graham Durst of Encinitas, CA., Stewart Durst of San Francisco, CA., Ryan Sullivan of Rochester, MN., Casey Sullivan of Oronoco, MN. and great niece Karly Sullivan of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family would like to thank Peggy Bruns and the staff at Madonna Towers.

In lieu of flower the family prefers memorials to Seasons Hospice and Madonna Towers.