Bill Sorensen Dies at 76

William H. Sorensen, a Bismarck entrepreneur and former mayor who became known across western North Dakota as "Mr. Medora," died on Saturday, Oct. 31. He was 76. For more than five decades, Sorensen built a career that merged local politics, business ventures, and large-scale entertainment, leaving a legacy defined by his ability to connect with audiences despite severe health challenges.

Sorensen’s professional life spanned multiple industries. He graduated from Concordia College and worked as a teacher before founding Business Information System in 1978. That same year, he was elected to the Bismarck City Commission as its youngest member. He went on to serve as Bismarck mayor from 1990 to 2002. In between those roles, he represented District 47 in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1987 to 1990. Over his career, he owned or launched 16 businesses and managed world champion boxer Virgil Hill.

His most visible role came in Medora, where he co-hosted the Medora Musical from 2013 through 2019. The production, billed as "The Greatest Show in the West," draws more than 100,000 visitors annually to the Badlands. Sorensen began performing in the 4M Review in Medora in 1976. After retiring from the musical, he continued to host the Medora Gospel Brunch and the A Magical Medora Christmas tour.

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation praised his impact on the town. President and CEO Clarence Sitter described Sorensen as a selfless performer who prioritized making people laugh. Sitter compared Sorensen’s generosity to Harold Schafer, who rebuilt the Burning Hills Amphitheatre and launched the musical in the 1960s. Former Foundation President Randy Hatzenbuhler noted that audiences remembered Sorensen’s magic and humor years after seeing him perform. Hatzenbuhler stated that Sorensen made people fall in love with Medora.

Sorensen faced multiple health crises that tested his stamina. In 2008, doctors gave him two years to live after he underwent seven heart bypasses. His brother, Jim Sorensen, said the odds of Sorensen living five more years were 20 percent. Stage 4 throat cancer forced him to miss the 2016 season, but he returned in 2017. Last year, he had surgery for kidney cancer, and he recently discovered he had prostate cancer. Jim Sorensen said his brother died from heart failure.

Despite these conditions, Sorensen rarely acknowledged his physical limitations. Jim Sorensen said he encouraged his brother to rest, but Sorensen replied that he had too much fun and joy in his work. He performed the final Gospel Brunch show just two days after leaving the hospital. Jim Sorensen noted that Sorensen died on National Magic Day, which honors Harry Houdini. Houdini died on Oct. 31, 1926, exactly 100 years before Sorensen.

The Bismarck Event Center honored Sorensen by naming the Mayor’s Conference Room the Sorensen Suite on Wednesday. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Eastgate Funeral and Cremation Service is coordinating the arrangements.