MADISON - William Kroner “Bill” Mattison was born on Aug. 10, 1928, in Elkins, W.V., to Ralph E. and Dorothy (Kroner) Mattison and died on Monday, April 25, 2022.

As an energetic young man, Bill, was always building something. At about age 7 he received a set of acrobatic clowns and a net for their performance. From that beginning he fell in love with the circus, constructing his first model circus at the age of 12 which he displayed on street corners to raise money for charity. At age 14, he ran away with the circus for two summers and was a prop boy. By age 16, he started the family business, Star Photo, which was a fixture in Madison for over 40 years. After the sale of the business, he worked for Qualex for another 10 years.

At age 22, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served on the ground in Korea during the bitter cold of 1951.

Bill was a builder of iceboats and sailboat rebuilds, winning 12 iceboat international championships. He was an avid soft water sailor in many classes. He served on the shore crew of 3 America Cup Campaigns, including the 1992 winning campaign of America³. He was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame, The National Sailing Hall of Fame and the Circus Model Builders Hall of Fame.

Bill leaves to mourn, his wife of 65 years, Mauretta; daughter, Lynn (Paul) Raley; son, Bill (Kelly) Mattison; four grandchildren, Matthew Raley, Andrea (Alex) Kohler, and Will and Abigail Mattison; two great-grandchildren, Paul and Millie Belle Kohler; two step-great-grandchildren, Ty and A.J. Kohler; and sister, Donna Liddle. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Bob; and sister, Dolly.

A Time of Sharing will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022. A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

William Kroner Mattison

August 10, 1928 - April 25, 2022

Share photos of William