William N. Mason

Service Details

Friends are invited to a memorial for Bill Mason, held by the Mason family, on February 24, 2024, at the YMCA Camp Minikani Halquist Lodge, 875 Amy Belle Rd, Hubertus, WI from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Contact Pamela for more information at 203-654-1405.

Memorial Suggestions

Bill had a special place in his heart for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  The camp was founded by the actor, Paul Neumann.  He starred in the motion picture “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. ”  History shows that these real-life American West outlaws belonged to a gang called “The Hole in the Wall Gang,” which took its name from the Hole in the Wall Pass, located in the mountains of Wyoming.  Many gangs used it as their hide-out and it was impenetrable by the authorities.

Today, this camp  in Connecticut has a Wild West theme and is a place (or hide-out) for thousands of seriously ill children and their families, so they can “Raise a little hell and have some fun!”  It is medically supervised and has free lodging and fun programs.  Being at the camp helps restore joy and laughter in a time of fear, stress, and uncertainty.  It provides opportunities for the children to develop many friendships.

Instead of flowers, Memoriam Donations can be made to “The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”  at the memorial event (brochures, envelopes, and stamps will be provided), by mail or their website.  Donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged with a receipt and a thank-you note by the organization.  Information and photos follow below.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Attention:  Administration
555 Long Wharf Drive
New Haven, CT  06511-6102

Phone:  203-772-0522
Website: www.holeinthewallgang.org

William (Bill) N. Mason
April 23, 1926 – February 9, 2024

Friends are invited to a memorial for Bill Mason, held by the Mason family, on February 24, 2024, at the YMCA Camp Minikani Halquist Lodge, 875 Amy Belle Rd, Hubertus, WI from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Contact Pamela for more information at 203-654-1405.

Bill died peacefully at home. His beautiful spirit will be greatly missed by his wife, Schuyler, his daughters Pamela and Cynthia, his sons Mark and Scott, and grandchildren Carla, Melissa, Sarah, Michael, Olivia, his stepchildren Monte, Dana, Adrianne, John, and Suzette, and his great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Olivia Mason (nee Shay), his father Nick Marushko, his mother Juliette Banza, and sister Marjorie Holmes.

Bill was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 23, 1926.  Upon moving to Chicago, Illinois, he attended Lane Technical College Prep High School, intending to become a structural engineer.  Following graduation, he attended Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.  He was awarded a degree in Structural Engineering.

Following graduation from Purdue, he was employed by Getty & White Engineering (Chicago, Illinois), Kenosha Boiler (Kenosha, Wisconsin), Strauss-McGuire Structural Engineering (Mequon, Wisconsin), and Getty, White, Mason Structural Engineering (Chicago, Illinois).  He also worked with many different contractors in the Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha areas.

Some of his most notable structural engineering jobs include:

• Kenosha Boiler (Kenosha, WI)
• American Motors (Kenosha, WI)
• Anaconda Brass (Kenosha, WI)
• Carthage College (Kenosha, WI).  The swimming pool and gymnasium at the Recreation Center as well as many other buildings.
• The Field Museum (Chicago, IL).  The supporting structure for the new installation of the Egyptian Mummy Exhibit and Tombs exhibit.
• The Walkway Bridges between stores (Downtown Milwaukee, WI).
• The U.S. Senate Building (Washington, DC).  Engineered the supports for the safe lowering of the giant chandelier to the ground.  The chandelier needed to be cleaned.
• The Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati, OH).  Modifications of the indoor tiger cage to a larger, outdoor tiger cage.
• Illinois University (Springfield, IL.)  The Sports Center and other recreational areas.
• Poliedro de Caracas (Caracas, Venezuela).  Engineered the internal supports for the walkways that held the ceiling lights  and a giant scoreboard in a new geodesic dome structure called the “Poliedro de Caracas.”  The event was a major celebration of its opening, sponsored by the Venezuelan president, and was attended by 6 other South American and Spanish presidents.
• The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (Ashford, CT).  Engineered the supporting structurefor the domed roof for the new, larger Dining Hall Rotunda.

INTERESTS

He was very involved in photography at an early age and it became his life-long passion.  His first photography job in Chicago was during his teens. He developed the film from the Reconnaissance Planes over Europe during World War II.  Since these films were large and quite long, he had to dry them from the top of a 5-story stairwell, with the film hanging down to the floor level.  He also loved to take photos of babies, fashion models, Chicago architecture, and many types of photos for Purdue University, such as proms and other school events.

Throughout his life, Bill was very interested in the architecture and organic philosophy of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and has visited many of the historic homes.  He built his current house in Kenosha during the 1960S, as well as many beautiful pieces of furniture, using the style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

He loved to travel over the USA and Canada, as well as Europe and China.  Attending cultural and social events was very important to him.   He was a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera (Lake Geneva Branch), the Milwaukee Contemporary Art Museum, as well as many other organizations.  He especially enjoyed his many weekly lunches with many Men’s Social Groups, such as the “ROMEOs” (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and Saturday brunch at the Kenosha Country Club.  And of course, he truly treasured attending all family events.

DONATIONS INSTEAD OF FLOWERS

Bill had a special place in his heart for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  The camp was founded by the actor Paul Neumann.  He starred in the motion picture “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. “ History shows that these real-life American West outlaws belonged to a gang called “The Hole in the Wall Gang,” which took its name from the Hole in the Wall Pass, located in the mountains of Wyoming.  Many gangs used it as their hide-out and it was impenetrable by the authorities.

Today, this camp in Connecticut has a Wild West theme and is a place (or hide-out) for thousands of seriously ill children and their families, so they can “Raise a little hell and have some fun!”  It is medically supervised and has free lodging and fun programs.  Being at the camp helps restore joy and laughter in a time of fear, stress, and uncertainty.  It provides opportunities for the children to develop many friendships.

Instead of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to “The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”  at the memorial event (brochures, envelopes, and stamps will be provided), by mail or their website.  Donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged with a receipt and a thank-you note by the organization.  Information and photos follow below.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Attention:  Administration
555 Long Wharf Drive
New Haven, CT  06511-6102

Phone:  203-772-0522
Website: www.holeinthewallgang.org