William J Elliott
July 09, 1959 - September 24, 2023
Obituary
MADISON - William John “Bill” Elliott passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. He was born on July 9, 1959, in Chicago, Ill., the sixth child of Artha and Edward Elliott. He attended St. Williams Catholic Grade School. He had a large, loving family and was especially cherished by his Grandma Mary Caruso.
In 1971 at age 12, Bill’s life was forever changed. He was at home when his father died suddenly, and was again present when six months later his mother also passed away. At that time, Bill had a spiritual experience which he later described in his published works.
At the time of his parents’ deaths, Bill’s three older siblings were married and out of the house, but he and sisters, Mary and Elizabeth “Liz,” still needed to be cared for, so they moved in with sister, Diane, and her family in nearby Park Ridge. Bill attended Loyola High School and was on the wrestling team.
Bill moved to Richland Center, Wis., to attend Whitewater College, and completed his bachelor’s degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a component of that degree, he spent his senior year in Nepal, studying Buddhism and Hinduism. He spent months living in a monastery.
Over the next 20 years, Bill wrote a series of books with a spiritual focus. In “Tying Rocks to Clouds” (1995), he traveled the world asking a series of questions to religious and spiritual leaders. The book was a #1 best seller for the publisher. He later explored Christianity and his Catholic upbringing in “A Place at the Table” (2003). After spending 40 arduous days in a tent in the Judean Desert in Israel, he wrote “Falling Into the Face of God” (2006).
At home in Madison in 1987, Bill met Bonnie Milgrim, a psychotherapist and fellow spiritual seeker, who became his soul partner. He began graduate school, eventually earning a master’s degree in psychology.
In 1992, Bill began work as a Mental Health Worker on the psychiatric unit of Meriter Hospital, where he remained for 25+ years. He was proudest of his teaching of Loving Kindness Meditation in his group therapy sessions. A dedicated spiritual adherent throughout his life, Bill regularly attended meditation retreats.
Bill loved meditation retreats and connecting with many old friends at them. He had a deep relationship with his two primary teachers, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. He also had a close relationship with Matt Flickstein a Therevadan Buddhist teacher.
Bill was an accomplished, dedicated, over-the-top golfer. He shared the love of the sport and his intelligence for the physics of the game with his many nieces and nephews. He also ran a successful home-based golf club business. Bill was a coffee shop enthusiast and loved to meet new people. An avid conversationalist, he had a way of quickly turning a casual chat into a deep discussion.
Bill was joyfully devoted to his dog, Annie, shared with Bonnie Milgrim.
Bill is survived by his sister, Elizabeth “Izzie;” soul partner, Bonnie Milgrim; sisters-in-law, Bobbie and Karolyn; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (John), Chris (Carol), Shannon, Laura (Dale), Rebecca (Dan), Barb, Keith (Kristine), Wanda, Pat (Mae), Jim (Lori), Jill, Jessica (Mark) and Jack; great-nieces and nephews, Wade, Clay, Taylor, Bryn, Elizabeth, Allison, Antigone, Lydia, Hanna, Payton, Ethan, Lukas, Atticus, Makenna, Kasey, Sophie, Paxton, Chanel, Chase, Chance, Matthew, Christine, Caden, Sara, Nate and Owen; and numerous friends, too many to list.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Mary Caruso; brothers, Edward and Jim; sisters, Diane and Mary; and nephews, Ed and Jeff.
A funeral service will be held at UNITY CHURCH, 601 Tompkins Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Please RSVP to Barb (Gish) Elliott (262) 305-7568. The services will be facilitated by family and friends, so please bring a story to share. A luncheon will follow. With COVID and Flu on the rise, please refrain from attending to the service if you are not feeling well.
In lieu of flowers, take your neighbor out for coffee or buy your friends a golf club or consider a donation to these charities, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s activities (Shedrub.org) or Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s activities (Tsoknyi Rinpoche.org) or The Love Serve Remember Foundation, which provides teaching of meditation techniques and spiritual service or Na Keiki O Emalia (http://nkoemaui.org), which provides healing and grief support to families on Maui.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420