William (Bill) Fisher, age 85, formerly of Cherry Valley, IL passed away peacefully in his Ft. Myers, FL home on Sunday, January 16th, 2022.
Bill was born in Rockford, IL on May 31,1936. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1954. Bill went on to be a well recognized business owner in Rockford, IL, as the founder of Fisher's Appliance and TV Centers. He grew Fisher's to 10 stores, with hundreds of employees and became a household name in Northern Illinois. He won the Forward Rockford Award, Illinois Retailer of the Year, National Merchandiser of the Year, and National Retailer of the Year. Throughout his working years, Bill spent time serving in dozens of advisory roles for retail associations, most notably as Board Member, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board for NARDA. He was also a Board Member, Vice President, and President of MARTA. He was the longest seated Board Member in history for both organizations.
Bill also served his local community in dozens of capacities, including board positions with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Memorial Hospital Foundation, Northern Illinois Epilepsy Association, The Valley Bank of Illinois, Alpine Bank, Cherry Valley School District 205, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago. He was a Commissioner for the Winnebago County Police Department, a long time Shriner, and served as "Member of the Divan", Potentate, and Past Potentate for the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL.
Bill always had a heart to help others less fortunate, and those who knew him were lucky to witness firsthand his countless acts of generosity and charity to others. As an avid pilot, Bill flew nearly 150 round trip flights to the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinnati.
Each flight was free transportation for a burn victim (and their family) in need of world class care.
Although he kept a busy schedule, Bill always made time for his family. He was known for his weekend family get togethers at hishome in Roscoe, IL, and he jumped at every opportunity to spend time with his Grandkids.
Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Charlene Fisher, sister Jan Bauer, and Great Grandson Eli McHugh. He is survived by his brother John Fisher, his 4 children, Kevin Fisher, Lori (Fisher) Reyes, Jennifer (Fisher) Chamberlain, Kimberly (Fisher) Monson, his 11 Grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on January 27, 2022 at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church 112 Cherry St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. A visitation was held on January 26, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008 , with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m.
The family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. They would also like to thank Bill's girlfriend late in life, Donna, for the selfless care and love she provided during his final months and days.
Bill lived a remarkable life and leaves an amazing legacy. He wouldn't have it any other way, because "THAT'S THE FISHER WAY".
Bill was born in Rockford, IL on May 31,1936. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1954. Bill went on to be a well recognized business owner in Rockford, IL, as the founder of Fisher's Appliance and TV Centers. He grew Fisher's to 10 stores, with hundreds of employees and became a household name in Northern Illinois. He won the Forward Rockford Award, Illinois Retailer of the Year, National Merchandiser of the Year, and National Retailer of the Year. Throughout his working years, Bill spent time serving in dozens of advisory roles for retail associations, most notably as Board Member, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board for NARDA. He was also a Board Member, Vice President, and President of MARTA. He was the longest seated Board Member in history for both organizations.
Bill also served his local community in dozens of capacities, including board positions with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Memorial Hospital Foundation, Northern Illinois Epilepsy Association, The Valley Bank of Illinois, Alpine Bank, Cherry Valley School District 205, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago. He was a Commissioner for the Winnebago County Police Department, a long time Shriner, and served as "Member of the Divan", Potentate, and Past Potentate for the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL.
Bill always had a heart to help others less fortunate, and those who knew him were lucky to witness firsthand his countless acts of generosity and charity to others. As an avid pilot, Bill flew nearly 150 round trip flights to the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinnati.
Each flight was free transportation for a burn victim (and their family) in need of world class care.
Although he kept a busy schedule, Bill always made time for his family. He was known for his weekend family get togethers at hishome in Roscoe, IL, and he jumped at every opportunity to spend time with his Grandkids.
Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Charlene Fisher, sister Jan Bauer, and Great Grandson Eli McHugh. He is survived by his brother John Fisher, his 4 children, Kevin Fisher, Lori (Fisher) Reyes, Jennifer (Fisher) Chamberlain, Kimberly (Fisher) Monson, his 11 Grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on January 27, 2022 at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church 112 Cherry St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. A visitation was held on January 26, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008 , with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m.
The family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. They would also like to thank Bill's girlfriend late in life, Donna, for the selfless care and love she provided during his final months and days.
Bill lived a remarkable life and leaves an amazing legacy. He wouldn't have it any other way, because "THAT'S THE FISHER WAY".
William (Bill) Fisher, age 85, formerly of Cherry Valley, IL passed away peacefully in his Ft. Myers, FL home on Sunday, January 16th, 2022.
Bill was born in Rockford, IL on May 31,1936. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1954. Bill went on to be a well recognized business owner in Rockford, IL, as the founder of Fisher's Appliance and TV Centers. He grew Fisher's to 10 stores, with hundreds of employees and became a household name in Northern Illinois. He won the Forward Rockford Award, Illinois Retailer of the Year, National Merchandiser of the Year, and National Retailer of the Year. Throughout his working years, Bill spent time serving in dozens of advisory roles for retail associations, most notably as Board Member, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board for NARDA. He was also a Board Member, Vice President, and President of MARTA. He was the longest seated Board Member in history for both organizations.
Bill also served his local community in dozens of capacities, including board positions with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Memorial Hospital Foundation, Northern Illinois Epilepsy Association, The Valley Bank of Illinois, Alpine Bank, Cherry Valley School District 205, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago. He was a Commissioner for the Winnebago County Police Department, a long time Shriner, and served as "Member of the Divan", Potentate, and Past Potentate for the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL.
Bill always had a heart to help others less fortunate, and those who knew him were lucky to witness firsthand his countless acts of generosity and charity to others. As an avid pilot, Bill flew nearly 150 round trip flights to the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinnati.
Each flight was free transportation for a burn victim (and their family) in need of world class care.
Although he kept a busy schedule, Bill always made time for his family. He was known for his weekend family get togethers at hishome in Roscoe, IL, and he jumped at every opportunity to spend time with his Grandkids.
Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Charlene Fisher, sister Jan Bauer, and Great Grandson Eli McHugh. He is survived by his brother John Fisher, his 4 children, Kevin Fisher, Lori (Fisher) Reyes, Jennifer (Fisher) Chamberlain, Kimberly (Fisher) Monson, his 11 Grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on January 27, 2022 at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church 112 Cherry St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. A visitation was held on January 26, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008 , with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m.
The family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. They would also like to thank Bill's girlfriend late in life, Donna, for the selfless care and love she provided during his final months and days.
Bill lived a remarkable life and leaves an amazing legacy. He wouldn't have it any other way, because "THAT'S THE FISHER WAY".
Bill was born in Rockford, IL on May 31,1936. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1954. Bill went on to be a well recognized business owner in Rockford, IL, as the founder of Fisher's Appliance and TV Centers. He grew Fisher's to 10 stores, with hundreds of employees and became a household name in Northern Illinois. He won the Forward Rockford Award, Illinois Retailer of the Year, National Merchandiser of the Year, and National Retailer of the Year. Throughout his working years, Bill spent time serving in dozens of advisory roles for retail associations, most notably as Board Member, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board for NARDA. He was also a Board Member, Vice President, and President of MARTA. He was the longest seated Board Member in history for both organizations.
Bill also served his local community in dozens of capacities, including board positions with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Memorial Hospital Foundation, Northern Illinois Epilepsy Association, The Valley Bank of Illinois, Alpine Bank, Cherry Valley School District 205, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago. He was a Commissioner for the Winnebago County Police Department, a long time Shriner, and served as "Member of the Divan", Potentate, and Past Potentate for the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, IL.
Bill always had a heart to help others less fortunate, and those who knew him were lucky to witness firsthand his countless acts of generosity and charity to others. As an avid pilot, Bill flew nearly 150 round trip flights to the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinnati.
Each flight was free transportation for a burn victim (and their family) in need of world class care.
Although he kept a busy schedule, Bill always made time for his family. He was known for his weekend family get togethers at hishome in Roscoe, IL, and he jumped at every opportunity to spend time with his Grandkids.
Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Charlene Fisher, sister Jan Bauer, and Great Grandson Eli McHugh. He is survived by his brother John Fisher, his 4 children, Kevin Fisher, Lori (Fisher) Reyes, Jennifer (Fisher) Chamberlain, Kimberly (Fisher) Monson, his 11 Grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on January 27, 2022 at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church 112 Cherry St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. A visitation was held on January 26, 2022 at Anderson Funeral Home 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008 , with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m.
The family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. They would also like to thank Bill's girlfriend late in life, Donna, for the selfless care and love she provided during his final months and days.
Bill lived a remarkable life and leaves an amazing legacy. He wouldn't have it any other way, because "THAT'S THE FISHER WAY".
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
