William J. Casey, 76, Advertising Executive; Charity Founder. Services are set for William J. Casey, of Crystal Lake, IL, who died Sunday, December 14, 2003, at a Florida hospital, a former marketing executive at Chicago’s Oscar Mayer; a top officer at some of the city’s leading advertising agencies and a founder of the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation at 11 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2003, at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin, IL. In 1993, Mr. Casey and his daughter, Kathleen, founded Bear Necessities after the death of Kathleen’s eight-year old son Barrett “Bear” Krupa, of pediatric cancer. The child encouraged his mother and grandfather to do something to help children and their families cope with cancer. Bear Necessities will soon be celebrating its 11th year. Born on the Southeast Side of Chicago, Mr. Casey was one of four boys growing up during the depression era. In 1944, while only 17 years old, he joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to a destroyer in the Pacific Theater. All four Casey brothers served in the war in all three branches. After the war, he began a nearly 50 year career in marketing and advertising; promoting everything from Little Oscar and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to Ace Hardware and the “helpful hardware man”. Mr. Casey is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Carol (Rosser); daughter Kathleen A. Casey; granddaughter Courtney Casey Krupa; many nieces and nephews and greatnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Barrett “Bear” Krupa; brothers, retired Air Force Col. Edward J. Casey, Thomas A. Casey, Robert D. Casey; mother Margaret (Dillon) Casey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, 23 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-836-2327
