William Siebecker

William (Bill) passed into eternal life July 16, 2023 after a full and adventurous life of 85 years.

Bill was a natural leader with an affinity for problem solving and research, both which served him well in his lifelong career as sales manager, president, and finally, owner of Wilson-Hurd Mfg. Co. with facilities in Wausau and Berlin, Wisconsin.

Guided by strong principles and a positive outlook in every aspect of his life, Bill tirelessly supported and encouraged his family, his employees and those he mentored while serving the community for decades in a variety of ways.  He was instrumental in guiding Wilson-Hurd from its earliest wire bag and metal printing products into a diversified company manufacturing products used in the high-tech industry, beverage industry, cosmetics and the medical field. 

Bill was born September 2, 1937 to William Lee and Hazel Marian (nee Hoag) Siebecker in Stevens Point, WI.  A promotion in sales at Hardware Mutual Insurance led WL to relocate his family to LaGrange, IL until relocating again to Wausau.  Thus began the Siebecker leadership of a small struggling Wilson-Hurd Mfg. Co. on a journey to growth and success.

 Bill graduated from Wausau East High School in 1956 where he excelled in academics and debate, and participated in track and community leadership activities. Throughout, he showed strong interest in a need for speed in fast cars, preferably Corvettes and airplanes, celebrating his first solo flight at the age of 16.   Bill graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1960, a member of the second class of the new military academy. He then attended Stanford Business School for a year before returning to Wausau to assume an active role in Wilson-Hurd.

During his fifty plus years as leader in and beyond his community, Bill assumed numerous responsibilities for the Wausau Municipal Airport Commission, UW Marathon County Advisory Board, Wausau Chamber of Commerce, Halfway House of Wausau, NAME (National Association of Nameplate Manufacturers), Rotary Club of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College, NTC Foundation, First Wisconsin Bank (now US Bank), and Wausau Hospital (now Aspirus). 

Bill found time to enjoy the performance arts, play tennis, canoe, downhill ski and windsurf, often with his family.  He took motorcycle trips with friends and a reluctant wife.  Other hobbies included building and flying model airplanes and building and racing a model boat in the WI River behind the house.  He loved sneaking his daughters out for coveted rides in a turbo charged Calloway corvette, often on “S” curves, drawing on his training from the Formula One racing school and California Bike Racing School.  His pilot’s license came in handy for making sales calls and family trips in a Piper Cherokee.  He took pleasure in sometimes surprising his family with travels within the US and on worldwide treks.  For twenty years, he and his wife Nancy (and friends) operated the “Balding Eagle”, a powerboat that took them to several of the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay and up the St. Lawrence Seaway where they enjoyed summer vacation time in Montreal.

Bill is survived by Nancy, his wife of 54+ years, two daughters, Jill and Ann, two nieces, Lori Budzien and Kristen Siebecker, and nephew Jeff Sibley.  The family welcomes your message on the Brainard Funeral Home website, Wausau, WI.  Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:30 am at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. Friday, September 8 followed by a private service for the family at Restlawn Memorial Park.