William A. Buzick Jr., born Nov. 4, 1920 on a ranch in Sylvan Grove, KS. He was an only child who drove a tractor and mended barb wire fences as a youth. After graduating from Kansas University, Magna Cum Laude, he served in the U.S. Navy for six years. During World War II, he was a Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer on the Destroyer U.S.S. Dewey, a ship of the Third Fleet under Admiral Halsey, and a survivor of the Philippine Sea typhoon of Dec. 18, 1944. After the war, he graduated Valedictorian from Washburn Law School in Salina, KS. The death of his grandfather, a San Francisco entrepreneur, left him the Shasta Water Co., which he turned around from bankuptcy into the first company to offer soft drinks in cans. In 1969 he sold Shasta to one of America’s largest conglomerates, Chicago based Consolidated Foods, later known as Sara Lee. Bill rose to the position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sara Lee within seven years and held that position for a further ten years. Later he headed west to become Dean of the Business School at Fresno State University, where he was voted most popular teacher by the students and was instrumental in the Business School modernization. Over the years he served on the Board of Directors of various banks and corporations. Recently, he was forced into retirement after developing macular degeneration, an incurable blinding eye disease. Bill was respected by his contemporaries as a man of the highest integrity and humanity. He was a devoted family man, animal lover and wildlife conservationist. Bill is survived by his wife Mary Lee; son William III and daughter Bonnie Lee. His Memorial Service and burial will take place in Sylvan Grove, KS at the family plot. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. In his memory, contributions may be sent to Wolf Haven, 3111 Offutt Lake Rd., Tenino, WA 98589.
