William R. Gordon peacefully passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 30, 2013. Bill was born in Jericho, Vt. to Alice & Willis Gordon (both deceased). His siblings include: Gerald Gordon (deceased); Ken Gordon (deceased); Colleen Gordon, Mabank, Texas; Alan Gordon, The Dallas, Ore.; Reginald Gordon, North Bend, Ore; and Bob Gordon; Whitebird, Idaho. Bill's work experience took him from Sacramento to San Francisco to the Alaskan oil fields and ultimately to Palm Springs where he owned one of the few gay hotels during the 1970s. In 1982, with the hotel sold, he and his partner, Jim Suguitan, purchased The Bottom Line magazine and were publishers until they sold the business in 2000. During those 19 years their publishing credits also include: Pulp Magazine; Shore Patrol - a women's guide to the Dinah Shore Golf Tournament events; and Omega Literary Arts Magazine. Being a long time political activist, Bill was involved with a number of successful local city council campaigns during his publishing career. Equally, his early commitment and support helped a number of newly formed organizations to grow and mature including but not limited to: the Desert Business Association; the Desert AIDS Project; Desert Gay Tourism Guild; Greater Palm Springs Pride; AIDS Assistance Program; Stonewall Democratic Club; and the Desert Rainbow Foundation. Through his dedicated efforts and participation the desert gay community grew from a mere handful of businesses and organizations to what we see today. William R. Gordon was a true Coachella Valley gay pioneer. He is survived by his sister Colleen, brothers Alan, Reginald and Bob and a host of relatives including nephew Bob Gordon and wife Sharon of Lebanon, Ore., close friends: Ralph Stevens, John Errera and Sandy Bennen. Jim Suguitan, Bill's soul mate of 33 years, will hold a private memorial at a later date.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: mydesert.com/obituaries




Published in The Desert Sun from May 5 to May 17, 2013