Santa Big Bill LLC | Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
Call (414) 254-0739 for a SE WI Santa Claus for hire!
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VOL. 33 No. 12 Mature News Magazine for Southeastern Wisconsin
BY JACK PEARSON
Tradition has it that Santa Claus resides up there at the North Pole. Well, you must realize that tradition is usually based in myth and fairy tales. There's ample reason to believe that Santa actually lives in a little home at the southwest corner of Laflin and Garfield in Waukesha, not far from Carroll University. During most of the year he goes by the name Bill Dossett.
So why do I say that Bill is Santa Claus. A number of reasons: Appearance, for one. He weighs about 250 pounds, has white hair and a long white beard, has an ever-present twinkle in his eyes, has rosy cheeks and is always smiling and laughing. An when he laughs, it comes out "Ho, Ho, Ho." Another thing; he sincerely loves children and making them happy. It's a mutual affection. Go to any little tots in the neighborhood and point at Bill's home and ask them who lives there. Their immediate response, "Santa!" And finally, to give added credence to the children's assertion, Mrs. Santa Claus lives there, too. Her non-Yule-tide name is Michelle Panton. (As you undoubtedly know, wives sometimes keep their surname.) She and Bill have been happily married for decades. She makes all Bill’s Santa Claus attire, a new one every Christmas, which is a story in itself.
The flimsy and beat up Santa outfits you see are imitation of Santa’s wearing during the season are a far cry from the magnificent, luxuriant coat, trousers and hat that Michelle creates. You have to see and feel the texture of the material to understand what I mean. You’d also have to spend two to three thousand dollars to have a qualified seamstress duplicate them.
I showed Bill what I had written about him. His response was a hearty chuckle. “Well thank you for your flattery and fictional description of me as Santa. You ought to write children’s books. In reality, I’m a retired developer and home builder (he once owned and operated two of his companies). I’m a happy husband, father, and grandfather. What is very true about what you’ve written is that I love children and enjoy making them happy. But you know, when I’m at one of our Christmas events, and I’m sitting there, all decked out in Michelle’s beautiful Santa costume and have a joyful little tot on my lap and there’s Christmas music in the background, it may sound corny, but I do feel I am Santa. For a little while, anyhow.”
Bill first portrayed Santa Claus about 20 years ago for a party of his own children. Today he has eight children, all adults now, and 11 grandkids. That was it for ten years, until one day he was asked by a friend to perform at the friend’s church. By that time Bill had put on a good deal of weight and his long beard had turned from a deep brown to one that was nearly white, and he looked the part. The event was a success and he and Michelle decided to make his portrayal an annual affair. The appearances grew from just once to two and three and more every Yuletide. This year there are about a dozen. The first three in November were for the Christmas Fantasy House in Delafield, then one at the Ronald McDonald House Christmas Party. Several have been scheduled for December, including three at the Cookies with Santa event at MKE Mom’s Blog at the Tommy Thompson Center. Coming up on December 11 and 12 are appearances with Santa at the Ingleside Hotel outside of Pewaukee which is sponsored by Country Financial. Everyone is invited to attend either event, but since the whole affair is to raise money for charity. There will be a small admission fee. By the way, if you have a group or organization in need of Santa now or at anytime in the future call Michelle Panton at 414-254-0739.
Preparing for participation in all these events is a good deal of work for both Bill and Michelle. Bill says this. “We both love what we do, and we both enjoy so much making the little ones laugh and enjoy themselves. One little tot, he must have been about five, looked up at me with big brown eyes and said, ‘Santa, you must be getting kinda overworked. Last Christmas you promised me a new tricycle, and it never came. I know you have so many children to bring presents to, and older people sometimes forget things, but can you try to remember this time?” I gave him a little hug and looked over at his mother, who was listening, and tossed her a wink. And she winked back.”
And for that instant, Bill Dossett was really Santa Claus.