William Gleason Obituary

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your husband and father.
Because of Bill Gleason and the sportswriters my late husband and I became engaged. We enjoyed watching and listening together and even went to a few tapings in Oak Park, and survived the smoke. He will always be part of my memories and in my prayers.

Marty and the Gleason family...

My prayers to the you and your family. Your dad was a Chicago legend, and meant so much to so many. You should be proud.

My favorite article by your dad was the one he wrote about Johnny Wieszorik.

Keep the Faith.

Max Miller & Family

Marty, Patty and All of The Gleasons,
We are thinking of all of you and praying that the MANY Wonderful memories that you have will help to keep Bill FOREVER close in all of your hearts. Much Love, Peggy, Mark and The Hylands

Bill and I were colleagues at the Sun-Times, and later shared press boxes and head tables and plenty of laughs. Bill was one of a kind -- but you know that. What you may not know was how much we liked and respected the guy, even through the cantakerous times. To all his family, thanks for sharing him with us. (And Amy -- thanks for your note to Mike Miner's blog. Looks like the writing gene made its way to you.)

Dear Gleason Family,
My father Arthur “Okey” Wehling just called to tell me about your Dad’s passing. I always heard my father refer to his old Parker High School friend Bill as “Gleas”. Through the years I was always proud to tell folks from Chicago that my father was friends with columnist Bill Gleason from the Sun-Times! I fondly recall as a youngster listening to your Dad "play" the (player) piano miraculously like a concert pianist during one of our summer vacations with the Gleasons! Keep smiling about all the wonderful memories ~

Bill was a very special person and meant a great deal to our family. We went through some difficult times together. He was truly a unique and gifted individual. We cherish our memories and we will miss him.

Mark, Gail & Joel Page

Mr.Gleason--- My husband just told Jaclyn & I that your dad had passed he saw it on the T.V. Also was on the sports talk radio. Mike knew of him and said, "Without your father there wouldn't be Sports Talk Stations in Chicago today." Having a son as wonderful as you are he had to be a good man. Please accept our deepest sympathies. You and your family are in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Sincerely---Jackie & Linda Pavichevich G.W.H.S.

Here's to Bill Gleason. A tip of the fedora to a life well lived and a great Chicagoan. Our prayers go to his Gleason & Dunne families. Mix the laughs with the tears; he would like that.

To Amy and the Gleason Family. Your Dad was one of a kind. I was fortunate to be able to spend some time with him talking baseball and having a beer. He will be missed.
Brian Goodwin (Detroit, MI)

To the Gleason Family,
Your family has lost someone very special who touched many lives. I was fortunate to be one of them as Bill was a cherished lifelong friend of my parents, Dick and Virginia Maresh. His special gift for storytelling, whether in a newspaper column or at a backyard party (smoking a cigar and drinking a beer, of course!), kept us laughing, crying, sometimes disagreeing, but always thoroughly enjoying his wit and humor.

To Marty and the Gleason Family:
Some 25+ years ago I was working as a sportcaster at a small radio station in the Chicago suburbs. I don't recall how it came about but I asked your dad to be a guest on my local sportstalk show. He joined me a number of times. When I'd thank him for joining me on the show, he'd always answer by saying..."anytime". I think he enjoyed helping a Beverly kid trying to get a foothold in the sports broadcasting biz. Here's to your Dad and to the many memories he leaves for you.

To all the Gleason and Dunne Families,
My heart goes out to you all in this difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I am so sorry I cannot attend. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Find comfort in the support and love of family, friends and fans. Celebrate a full life and all the fond memories of a man who touched the lives of two wonderful families as well as the general public. I have so many good memories: Shady Shores Resort ball games, Bill playing first base, beer parties, Lodge awards, the Sox, laughs and conversations with my father Larry, being the "mystery guest of honor" at his parties in Chicago, the television and radio shows, the news paper columns, the books, the stories, the hats, the cigars and the Christmas parties in Oak Brook. He was a legendary man, a brillant sports writer and fun loving human being with a dry wit and unequaled enthusiasm for sports and life. He was supportive, cared about people, and always a strong inspiration to me personally. The real deal. He was old school and south side, but also a man truly ahead of his time. He will be missed by many. Stay strong and keep moving forward moment by moment, day by day and continue to live your lives in the spirit of Bill's enthusiasm.

I can brag and say Bill and young family,Terry, once lived in our building in Hamilton Park. Could always say I knew a 'celebrety' and followed his career. My sympathy to his family. Lucille LaFreniere

Sincere condolences to the Gleason family. I worked in the Cub front office in the '70s; Bill was one of my fourth estate favorites. Great to see clips of him on "Chicago Tonight" Monday evening. Will raise one in memory of the pride of South Longwood Drive.

It's difficult to add to all the great tributes I've read in the newspapers the last few days, the world has lost a truly unique character. Even though he was famous Bill always retained a great friendship with his childhood friends, his down-to-earth outlook is what made him so successful. All the wonderful experiences my dad, Tim Tracy, had, meeting Bill Veeck, Muhammad Ali, the Red Cloud dinners, things my dad really cherished, were thanks to Bill. My dad's stories of their growing up, the Hamilton Park Flashes and Parker HS, were priceless. I was always proud to tell people Bill was my godfather, and will forever remember his kindness to me, intelligence and wry humor. To Terry, Jeanine, Kevin, Marty, Amy and your families, and to Mary Ellen, my deepest sympathy for your loss.

I will always remember fondly the summers at Shady Shores w/the Gleasons. Great times.
Bill Gleason was always friendly and supportive of me in my life. He always had the time to talk to me and wish me well.
I extend my prayers to the Gleason family at this time.

To Amy and the Gleason family, Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. I remember many times wondering what my husband was watching on TV, a bunch of cigar-smoking guys talking about sports. I had to admit, they were an entertaining group of gentlemen. Of them all, your dad's voice and his way of expressing himself stand out in my mind. My sympathy to you all. Madame Bolek, from your days at Mother McAuley.

Dear Gleason Family,

Mr. Gleason served in WWII with my father Lou Perkovich I was fortunate to know Bill Gleason over the years and I will miss his enthusiasm for life, his love for the White Sox, his ability to tell a great story, and especially his never being pretenious even with all his success.

Dear Sir I thank you for the freedom that you fought for and restored during WWII. It is an honor and a privilege to know you. Pysically you may not be with us, but you will always live in my heart and mind.

My wife Pat, my daughter Lori, and I hope that the entire family will find the great past memories to help ease the pain of your great loss.

Sincerely,
Steve Perkovich

Dear Gleason Family,

We offer our prayers and deepest sympathies. I met Bill long ago when I was a child at a Gleason family reunion. -- As families grow it is hard to keep in touch - but our thoughts and love are still there. God Bless you at this time

Kristi Niedzwiecki, on behalf of Mary Frances Petro and her family.

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your husband always luv to listen to Bill over the years and he was a great baseball writer and fan Tom, Providence, RI

Amy,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family, your dad was a legend can't forget the time he took us to the Sox game and I got the chance to go up to the Bard's room and meet Mr.Veeck, Harry Carey and Johhnie Latner, Thanks for the memories Mr. Gleason

To the Gleason Family: Sorry for your loss. Always loved "Bill", and enjoyed reading his columns, especially the nostalgic ones about the old neighborhood. Also, watched the Sportswriters Show on TV, as often as possible. He had great wit.

Im extremely sorry that I won't be able to attend the Memorial Service, on Wednesday, as I am currently in Florida, and won't be returning until Monday, 1/11/10.

My condolences to all,

John Graham
Parker H.S. Alum

Marty and family, your father may best be remembered as a sports writer but a Silver Star is the mark of a true hero. He lived life to the fullest and has left us a truly remarkable legacy including a loving, vibrant family.

Dear Patty, Marty and all of you wonderful Gleasons,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our warm thoughts and love are with you. Have you asked Obama if you could borrow the White House?
Love, Laurie, Birgir, Ingmar, Liam and Ella

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I hope that over time God brings comfort and peace into your grief. Sincerely, Donna Hagerty-payne (I.C. High School, friend of Anne)

With our love and prayers for you and Bill and all your children,

Reg and Fran Darley

"Red Will" was one of a kind....May he rest in peace

Dear Gleason Family,
We are sending you our deepest love and condolences.
We have enjoyed being apart of your family growing up on the southside in Beverly. We have many fond memories of Bill, him being the non conventional sports expert who had a profound effect on everyone interested in sports.
Most of all is his legacy he leaves, which is his fine family.
John and Peggy Meyer

Dear Gleason Family,
We are sending you our deepest love and condolences.
We have enjoyed being apart of your family growing up on the south side in Beverly. We have many fond memories of Bill, him being the non conventional sports expert who had a profound effect on everyone interested in sports.
Most of all is his legacy he leaves, which is his fine family.
John and Peggy Meyer

To the Gleason Family:

Bill Gleason was a good friend of my late father, Robert Mann, thru their association with the Red Cloud Athletic Association. My father served as treasurer of the group for a nearly a decade, and during that time, Bill often told me my father was one of the key reasons the organization was able to continue as long as it did. He always offered me insight and advice and just wanted what was best for me. Your loss is shared by our family as well.

Marty,our condolences to you and your family. thankfully your Dad was able to survive the Bee-Bee Richard era.God Bless.Missie and Joe Creevy.

About 30 years ago,I was at the 95/Dan Ryan el station when Mr.Gleason passed me by.I said"hello,Mr.Gleason".He replied"do I know you?" and heade towards the train.He probably was trying to go thru his memory bank(truth is;he never met me) After he walked away ,my mental response to his question was that everyone knows Mr.. Gleason.

Bill
Please say hello to my mom and dad and my brothers Willie and John up in Heaven. Thanks for all your kindness to this kid. God bless the greatest Sox fan of them all and thanks for your book on Father Mac.
Mike Houlihan

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Dear Marty and Family,
Please accept our sincerest sympathies on your Dad's passing. He was certainly a colorful and interesting man who will be remembered by our wonderful city.
Sincerely,
Leslie and John Hayden
GWHS