Obituary of William Charles Vaughn

William Charles Vaughn, 68, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, originally of Long Beach, California, passed on Tuesday, September 24^th, 2019 in Minneapolis after an heroic battle against leukemia.  Bill’s fight slogan these last 18 months was “Vaughn Strong”  and he redefined the meaning of inner strength, determination, and perseverance.  His love for life was enthusiastic and contagious. Always the life of the party, he lit up the room with his infectious laugh, hysterical humor, LOUD and wry commentary, and a magnetism that no one could resist.  Bill will always be remembered for his famous “53” and for what a wild-man Illy-Billy (aka Illis Billis) was on the dance floor.  True to form, Billy White Shoes danced his way through life on his own unique terms. “Yeah Now!!”

Bill worked in the telephone communications industry since the early 1970’s, first in Los Angeles, then in the Twin Cities.  He was an avid golfer, fisherman, Nascar fan, dirt bike rider in the Mojave Desert, and all-around lover of sports.

Bill is predeceased by his parents Curtiss and Estelle Rose (nee Maher) Vaughn, sister in law Linda (nee Klugkist) Vaughn, brother in law Steve Vidmar, grandson August Newton Vaughn, ex-wife Paula Mae (nee Whitney) Vaughn, and in-laws Mervin & Mae Whitney, and Arnold & Joyce Bellis.

Bill is survived by his wife Leslie and their dog China; sons Timothy (Rebecca) and Robert (Cassandra); grandchildren Emily, Davis, Mia, Harrison, Charlie; 11 siblings:  Mike (Connie), Dave (Barb), Jim (Claudia), Doug (Chris), Robert (Elaine), Martha (Jerry) Lomeli, Margee (Phil) Infante, Mary Vidmar, Patricia Dent, Pamela (Reginald) Briggs, Christine Vaughn; 19 nieces and nephews; and 34 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The family extends grateful thanks to all the wonderful doctors and nurses at the University of Minnesota Medical Center who did all they could in their power to help Bill defeat leukemia.  The cancer took Bill but it could never, ever touch his humor; and that fact will remain true in the hearts of all his family, friends, and anyone who was blessed to know Bill.  He is loved and adored by all. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 12 at the Fox Hollow Golf Club from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  4780 Palmgren Lane NE, St. Michael, MN 55376. Come with stories to share and cash for the bar.

A second Celebration of Life will be held next Spring in Southern California, followed by the spreading of Bill’s cremains near Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert.