GEORGE W. "BILL" MORTENSEN

GEORGE W. “BILL” MORTENSEN – 1939 - 2017 George William “Bill” Mortensen, 77, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 with Nina, his wife of 42 years, by his side. Bill was born Willis Clark Giffin, IV, in San Antonio TX on July 23, 1939, to the late Allene Martin Giffin Mortensen and the late Willis Clark Giffin, III. The family lived in Laredo and Alpine and eventually settled in Harlingen where he was adopted by Allene’s second husband, Christian T. Mortensen, the man he knew and loved as his “Dad”. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A & I (now Texas A & M) in Kingsville and studied law at the University of Texas in Austin for 2 years. He married Kay Powell in 1960. They had three children, Ginger, Tracy and Vicky. While in Austin, he was introduced to the sport of bowling and it became one of the passions of his life. Bill began his life long career in the bowling industry at Bowl-A-Rama in Austin, TX in the late 1960’s. He was transferred to another center in the group, Ayers Lanes, in Corpus Christi. In 1971 he was offered an opportunity to become a partner in a small bowling center out of state. He left his beloved Texas and moved to Albany, GA where he managed Albany Lanes until 1981 when he became the manager of Bowl-A-Rama until 1986. His wife and family did not follow him to Georgia and eventually they were divorced. Bill married his current wife, Nina Tebbetts Mortensen, on January 30, 1975 and adopted her four children, Michelle, Nicole, Noelle and John in 1977. They resided in Albany until 1986 when he took the managerial position at Cotton Bowl Lanes in Southaven, MS where he worked until 1989. He finally was able to return to Texas as manager of Capitol Bowl in Austin where he worked until 1994 when he became the Night Manager at Showplace Lanes in Austin. He remained at Showplace Lanes until his retirement in 2003. Bill not only worked in the bowling industry but he was an accomplished bowler as well. He received many local, state and national team and individual awards, including six sanctioned 300 games and four sanctioned 800 series. He was inducted into the Albany, Georgia Bowling Hall of Fame for distinguished contributions to the game of bowling in 1993. He enjoyed sharing his love and knowledge of bowling with others and worked with young and aspiring bowlers throughout his bowling career. Bill is survived by his wife, Nina Tebbetts Mortensen of Cedar Park, TX; Children: Ginger (Kennan) Buechter of Gulfport, MS; Tracy (Carlos) Contreras of Pflugerville, TX; Michelle Nash of Gulf Shores, AL; Nicole (Bret) Patton of Cedar Park, TX; Vicky Denton of Atlanta, GA; Noelle (Reese) Villines of Cedar Park, TX; John Mortensen of Galveston, TX; Grandchildren: Heather (Justin) Shrader, Robbie Lassiter, Amber Hodge-Villines, Ashleigh Hodge-Villines, Brea (Ian) Withrow, Cory Patton, Caleb Villines, Mitchell Patton, Meagan Patton, Savannah Denton, and Max Denton; Great-Grandchildren: Kaelin, Kaed, and Kohen Chamberlin, Kainaan, Kaycen, and Kenzleigh Villines, Josephine and Juniper Withrow, Kynndra and Khyler Rozell and Kaydence Hamer; Sisters: Marilyn (Graham) Biles of Henderson, NV and Laurie (Fred) Eichenlaub of London, OH; Nephews & Nieces: Graham Christian Jr. Biles and Martin Allen Biles, Stephanie Kanaval, and Melanie Eichenlaub. At Bill’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Remember his wit, his sarcasm, his sense of humor, his love of sports, his love for his family, but mostly remember him and what he meant to you. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Bowling Museum Hall of Fame in Arlington, TX (http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/Get-Involved/Donations), or a charity of your choice in Bill’s name. Thank you to Ms. Lee Thomas, private duty home health care; Baylor Scott & White hospital in Round Rock and A Med community hospice. “To be great Is to be misunderstood” Ralph Waldo Emerson

GEORGE W. "BILL" MORTENSEN

July 23, 1939 - February 7, 2017