William David Odell

William David Odell

(October 10, 1955-May 19, 2026)

William David Odell, age 70, of Red Wing, Mn, died Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Mayo Clinic - St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN from complications of heart failure while recovering from a stroke on April 6th, 2026. He made the most of his final weeks on earth enjoying and treasuring relationships and all the beauty this world has to offer.

William was the first-born son of David Roger Odell and Joan Bernice (Olson) Odell on October 10,1955, at Fort Ord Army base in Monterey, California. He spent his early life in Excelsior, Minnesota with his parents and siblings, Karen and Donny, on Lake Minnetonka, where he developed his love for the water. He attended school in Excelsior, Mn. graduating from Minnetonka High School in 1974. He attended college at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business and marketing. After college he moved to the Los Angeles area and stayed there for 32 years. William worked for the Federated Group and was an executive for Sony, Inc. for 25 years, filling many roles and enjoying international travel. His favorite role at Sony was setting up elaborate home theaters for many celebrities in the L.A. area.

William was an athlete. He learned to swim at Excelsior Beach, was an avid boater, water skier and barefoot water skier on Lake Minnetonka. William was a phenomenal downhill skier which led him to choose the University of Utah to be able to ski in the mountains there. During his young life, William played football, hockey, baseball and was an avid runner and weightlifter. At one time, he held the school record for bench press at 350 lbs. and could leg press 750 lbs. as if it was nothing. He also roller-skated on the Strand in southern California where he made his home for many years. He loved the Pacific, the beaches, and took up diving while on the west coast and enjoyed taking his daughter and friends out on his boat.

In December of 1983, William and his partner, Rena Witter welcomed their beloved daughter Amber. There are not many photos of him during these years, as he spent much of his time behind the camera recording the “Amber Chronicles” as they enjoyed adventures together.

William had a passion for music of all genres, especially blues, rock and jazz. He played the cornet, guitar, alto sax and many other instruments that he collected, repaired and sold on eBay over the years. He also developed a fabulous singing voice and was known to do a spot on imitation of Johnny Cash on Karaoke nights in the US and in Japan. He studied band instrument repair at the prestigious program at Southeast Technical College in 2013-2014 and became an independent instrument repair technician, working from home repairing and reselling all manner of band instruments.

After retiring from Sony, William returned to Minnesota to live near and care for his mother. They supported each other for 15 years in Red Wing, Mn. He was a dedicated Certified Pool Operator at the Pioneer Village Carriage Homes where they lived to facilitate both he and his mother’s love of swimming. His family came on many nice days in the summer to swim in his meticulously cared for pool.

William’s spirit will be seen in the many things that brought him joy – the oceans and lakes, music, especially the soaring American Bald Eagles overhead. He will be remembered for his silly sense of humor and his friendliness. Funny, smart, brave and adventurous, are great attributes of Williams legacy.

Survived by his mother, Joan Odell; his beloved daughter, Amber Odell; two siblings, Karen and Donald, step-sister, Gail Cunningham (Steve Zabe); Amber’s mother, Rena Witter; Karen’s two children; Jules Swaner (Joshua), Allison Mill; his very special great-niece, Athena Swaner; step-mother Patricia and many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Connor David Odell; father, David Odell; grandparents, aunts and uncles.

William will be cremated and his ashes spread “over a great dive spot” in the Pacific Ocean, that he so loved. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to William’s daughter, Amber, in care of the family.

A Celebration of Life planned in Red Wing, in September 2026. A California Celebration of life will occur at a later date TBA.

Arrangements by Mahn Family Funeral Home – Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing.