Bill Sorensen - background information
Bill Sorensen has lived his entire life wide open to its possibilities and adventures. A graduate of Bismarck High, he also attended Bismarck Junior College and graduated from Concordia College.
His involvement in government, fine arts, and sports at an early age, contributed greatly to his life’s adventures.
Bill was the youngest person elected to the Bismarck City Commission, serving the city for 24 years. Elected Mayor of Bismarck in 1990 and serving three terms, Bill promoted city tax initiatives that brought the expansion of the Civic Center, restoration of the Belle Mehus Auditorium, the building of the BHS and CHS gyms and the Community Bowl. Bill served two terms in the ND House of Representatives. He is a past President of the ND League of Cities. In 1985, he was named one of five outstanding North Dakotans, and was named the Outstanding Elected Official of North Dakota in 2000. A love and passion for North Dakota and its future led to countless volunteer hours with groups of all ages.
Bill began his career as a teacher. In 1978, he founded Business Information Systems, Inc. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Extend America. In the course of his career, he purchased nine different businesses focused on computer systems and broadband communications.
Bill formed Civic Arena Promotions to encourage activities at the Bismarck Civic Center and was involved in bringing the Broadway Series to Bismarck. He has also been an advisor for the Sleepy Hollow Theater Board of Directors.
He was co-owner of the Dakota Rattlers Baseball Team; co-founded the International Basketball Association; owned the Wizards’ Basketball team, managed 3-time World Boxing Champion and Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Virgil Hill, one of the most successful boxers in the history of the sport with 23 world title fight victories.
Born with a great sense of humor, Bill has been involved in performance most of his life. A high school hobby of juggling led to a second career as a magician. He has been a comedy performer and motivational speaker at over 5000 shows around the US. He is a frequent lecturer at magic conventions in Las Vegas, Ohio and Florida.
For over thirty years, Bill has entertained in Medora with the 4M Review and served as co-host for the Medora Musical since 2013. He was the featured speaker in the new Medora Gospel Brunch and is creator and producer of the popular traveling Magical Medora Christmas Show that began in 2015. His love of music led him to write lyrics for his friend Joel Gilbertson. Many of these songs have been recorded.
Bill’s faith and family are cornerstones in his life. He served as president of his church’s congregation and has been very involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout his life. Bill Sorensen’s richest blessings are his four daughters, Medora, Tana, Jenna and Tricia, his sons-in-law and grandchildren.
