William L. Searle

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Harvard University University of Michigan

William Searle Obituary

Searle, William L. A respected and influential businessman and philanthropist whose family owned and operated the G.D. Searle Pharmaceutical Company until 1985, has died of complications from lung cancer at Lake Forest Hospital on August 19. Bill Searle was 76. Mr. Searle made his permanent home in Elko, Nevada, where he owned Maggie Creek Ranch. He was an avid sportsman and actively involved in support of numerous environmental and educational organizations. "I am the luckiest man I know. I can spend what time and talent is given me to try to make the world around me a little better place, " Mr. Searle once said. Mr. Searle served on the boards of the Field Museum and Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as the Shikar-Safari Club International Foundation, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the Boone and Crockett Club and the Western Folklife Center, Elko, Nevada. He was also the founding supporter of The Island School, an environmental and educational institution in South Eleuthera, Bahamas. He was a member of The Grand Island Lodge in Bath, IL. A University of Michigan graduate, Bill Searle was the manager of the 1951 Rose Bowl Team. He was also a gradaute of the Advanced Management Program of Harvard University. He served in the Army Chemical Corps. during the Korean War. His wife, Sally Burnett Searle, his daughters, Marion S. Searle, Elizabeth B. Searle and Louise S. Klarr; his brother, D.C. Searle; his sister, Suzanne Searle Dixon; ten grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews survive Mr. Searle. Services are scheduled for 4 p.m., Tuesday, August 24, at Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, 801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH, 43229 or The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, Emiquon Project, 8 South Michigan Ave., Suite 900, Chicago, IL, 60603. A visit from his minister prompted Mr. Searle, while still a young boy, to ponder the question, "Why am I here on earth?" In later years, he told an interviewer, "I'm still working on it. But part, or maybe most, of the answer is 'not just getting by, but making a difference."

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for William Searle

9 Entries

Richard Alford

September 16, 2004

Please accept our belated condolences. Our sympathy goes out to the Searle families upon the loss of William L. Our prayers are with you especially at this time. Yours, the Schermerhorn Family Annual Reunion Association, and the family of "Schenectady Branch" cousin Richard Alford.

Ally Johnson

August 24, 2004

My heartfelt condolences go out to Sue and Wes Dixon and the Searle family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Terry and Chad True

August 24, 2004

Our prayers and condolences are with the entire Searle family, and especially Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.

Dave Brittsan

August 24, 2004

To Sue and Wes Dixon and the entire Searle family, we extend our sincere sympathy and God's blessings.

Dave and Betsy Brittsan

DON PAUL

August 23, 2004

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the premature death of Bill Searle. I worked for and with Bill for nearly twenty years and thoroughly enjoyed the tenure. His personal interest and involvement in people advanced all of our careers. My sympathy and best wishes to Sally, the children and the Searle family.

Charletta Towns

August 23, 2004

My heart felt condolences to the family of William L. Searle. Although I did not personally know him, I benefitted from his legacy. I worked at G.D. Searle for eight years and was able to finish my undergraduate degree thanks to this company. Searle was and continues to be for many of us, one of the best experiences ever, and for that, I say thank you!

Skip Weber

August 22, 2004

I worked at Searle Pharmaceutical for 32 years. I met each of the members of the Searle family and grew to respect all of them. The Searle family, including Bill, are warm and caring people. Everyone that met Bill will miss him.

Roy Weidemann

August 22, 2004

My sincere condolences to the entire Searle Family. Your loss is shared by many. I was part of the Sealre family (G.D.Searle & Co.)for some 26 years, and in fact I still feel an attachment to Searle that will always remain. Bill and I were in the same primary sales school and sales district - Calif/Ariz - that's more than 50 years ago. We often joked that I couldn't figure out why he made it so big and I didn't. I enjoyed the years we shared in the sales department, and I was proud to achieve some success in the service of the company, out West and here in the home office. There is some joy in the sadness of the passing of someone like Bill. He gave the world a lot in return for what he was given. I hope all of us will strive to do the same.

With respect,

Roy Weidemann

Bernie Quebbemann

August 21, 2004

Dear Mrs. W Searle & Family:

My sincere prayers, for all
family, in your time of grief.

Sincerely,
Bernie Quebbemann

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