William Fischer Obituary

William Donald Fischer

William Donald Fischer died on June 4, 2016, at the age of 87 at his home in Chicago, Illinois with his wife Jean by his side.

Bill was born at home on the bluffs of the Ohio River in Tell City, Indiana. He spent his early years living with his father William Charles Fischer, mother Faith Roehm Fischer and two sisters Lucille and Jean. He was well known in his small hometown for his talents as a boy soprano and performed at amateur band concerts, Farm Bureau meetings and football halftime programs. As Bill finished high school, World War II was winding down, but a level of manpower in uniform was still needed. The military was offering full GI Bill Benefits for a two year enlistment, offering Bill the opportunity for a college education at no cost. Coming from a family with little means, having lived through the Depression, he enlisted in the Navy.

After graduating from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting, he took his first job with Price Waterhouse as a staff accountant. After nearly ten years at Price Waterhouse, he entered the corporate world as a finance executive. He ultimately settled and spent the bulk of his career at Dean Foods Company. He began as their Vice President of Finance and after 23 years with the company finished his career as the President, Chief Operating Officer and member of their Board of Directors. Bill presided over an aggressive growth strategy resulting in numerous acquisitions, growing Dean Foods from a small local dairy to a large, highly respected U.S. food company.

After his retirement in 1993, Bill went on to enjoy a successful, enjoyable and productive retirement. He continued to offer his services on various Boards of Directors. He worked hard on his watercolor painting, enjoyed all that the Chicago cultural community has to offer including the yearly Humanities Festival, symphony, opera and theater. He and Jean traveled often and spent many winters in Sydney, Australia before they decided to become part time Canadian residents for a number of years enjoying Shakespeare in Stratford, ON. He read prodigiously, consuming 20-30 biographies, historical and political novels, tempered with an occasional crime thriller every year.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Jean Cleary Perkins Fischer, and his children, by his former marriage to Anne Poindexter Fischer- Dean (Jenny), Jenny (Dennis), Nancy, John (Xan); eight grandchildren, Scott, Craig, Claire, Chaille, Will, Izzy, Joey, Jesse; and one great granddaughter, Nora.

Bill's favorite play was King Lear in which William Shakespeare wrote "Thou should not have been old till thou hast been wise." William Donald Fischer was wise indeed.

Services are private.

Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058 or www.cremation-society.com.