Mr. William Ira Gore Jr.

William Ira Gore, Jr. . was born on July 30, 1933 to the union of Frances L. Janerette and William Ira Gore, Sr. in Conway, South Carolina. William received his formal education from Booker T. Washington High School, in Columbia, South Carolina. He later earned a bachelor of science from Morehouse College in 1954. In July 1954, William enlisted into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged on July 17, 1956. He would later earn a masters in social work (MSW) from Atlanta University School of Social Work. Throughout most of his life, William Gore was employed by Milwaukee County. In 1988, he retired from the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex as Director of Psychiatric Social Services. At the time of his retirement an ad was placed by his colleagues at the County with the headlines, "Who Said There Are No Heroes Anymore?" It is often said that he had a significant impact on the City of Milwaukee as a member of the Fire and Police Commission and Chairman for nine of his fifteen year tenure from 1973 to 1988. Frequently fire fighters and police officers, particularly African Americans, shared their personal stories about the influence he had on their lives. As a 33rd Degree Prince Hall Mason, he interacted with countless individuals that acknowledged his willingness to share his wisdom and encouragement. As a Director and Vice Chairman of Columbia Savings and Loan, Gore worked diligently to provide oversight for the oldest African American financial institution in the city of Milwaukee. A graduate of Morehouse College and Atlanta University School of Social Work, he demonstrated commitment to worthwhile causes throughout his adult life. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a Life Member of the NAACP. At St. Mark AME Church, he served as a Trustee, Sunday School Treasurer for more than forty years and a consistent member for most of his adult life. William Gore's contributions both personally and professionally have created a solid foundation for his three daughters, Patricia Solone, Cecelia Gore and Celeste Gore and his beloved granddaughter, Emmanuelle Haye, who lovingly referred to him as Pop-Pop. One of our fondest thoughts about Bill is his ability to articulate astute words of wisdom, passages of literature, profound quotes and countless jokes. His love of scripture and understanding the teachings of the bible guided him. He also spoke frequently about the individuals that spoke to his Morehouse Class at weekly Chapel during his college days. Gore embraced a quote while at Morehouse College and subsequently found it in the book Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The words were written by John Oxenham - a writer, philosopher and poet. It states "to every man their openeth a way and ways and a way, and the high souls climb the high way, and the low souls gropes the low, and in between the misty flats, the rest drift to and fro, but to every man their openeth a highway and a low, and every man decideth the way his soul shall go." William Ira Gore departed this life on Saturday, May 27,2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ira Gore, Sr. and Frances Gore. He leaves to cherish his memory lifelong friend and wife, Dorothy B. Gore; three daughters, Patricia-Ann Hopkins-Solone (George) of Columbia, South Carolina, Cecelia Iris Gore (Randy Bryant) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Celeste Irene Gore; one granddaughter, Emmanuelle India Haye of Highland Park, Illinois; one sister, Annie Mae Gore of Columbia, South Carolina; cousins, Joseph Darby (Mary), Jason Darby (Cherisse), Jeremy Darby (Ashley) all of South Carolina and a host of relatives and friends. Clearly, William Ira Gore, Jr. took the high road. And for that he is loved! So, the reality is, there are heroes and William 1. Gore is one of them!

Mr. William Ira Gore Jr.

July 30, 1933 - May 27, 2017