Willam A. Thacher
ABOUT
Bill accepted a job as personal assistant to Robert O. Law, who had retired from his parents company, Robert O. Law Book Bindery in Chicago. Through this association, Bill became involved in many of Mr. Law's business ventures, which included the building of the Beach Club in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and the Nassau Beach Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. Also at this time, Bill decided to further educate himself by taking courses in business and bookkeeping at the local community college. Bill eventually became Law's financial advisor.
Upon the death of Mr. Law in 1958, Bill became Administator of the Robert O. Law Foundation which was set up to provide scholarships, youth work and funding for needy people of Boward County, FL. Bill conducted the foundation's business in Ft. Lauderdale until 1982. (The foundation is still in existence today.)
Bill also was very active with many organizations including; the Kiwanis Club of Plantation, FL where he became President in 1966, Lt. Governor of the division in 1969 and ran for and was elected Governor of the Florida Kiwanis District for the year 1975-76. He was chosen by Kiwanis Club International to serve as President of the Kiwanis International Foundation for the year of 1988-89. He also aided in establishing criteria for the Goerge F. Hixson and George F. Hixson Diamond awards in 1983. Bill was very active in the Boy Scouts where he was honored by the South Florida B.S.A. Council with the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Boyhood in 1972.
Bill and wife, Jean, now reside in Inverness, FL where Bill joined the Kiwanis Club of Iverness and has helped build 25 Kiwanis Club in the area. The Thachers have been married 63 years, have three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
William A. Thacher was born in Blue Island, IL in 1926. After his family moved to Harvey, IL, William attended Bryant Elementary and
Thornton Township High School in which he graduated in 1944.
After graduation, Bill joined the U.S. Army during which he participated in the Liberation of Luzon, Philippines and the Asiatic campaign. Bill was a Batallion Motor Sergeant and received many citations and medals before his discharge in 1947.
Upon discharge, Bill joined his parents in northern Wisconsin where his parents had purchesed a resort (Buck Horn Lodge). While in Wisconsin, Bill met his future wife, Jean Wollangk. The two were married August 16, 1947. After living in Wisconsin and Harvey, IL, Bill, Jean and family, settled in Hollywood, FL. in 1953.
After graduation, Bill joined the U.S. Army during which he participated in the Liberation of Luzon, Philippines and the Asiatic campaign. Bill was a Batallion Motor Sergeant and received many citations and medals before his discharge in 1947.
Upon discharge, Bill joined his parents in northern Wisconsin where his parents had purchesed a resort (Buck Horn Lodge). While in Wisconsin, Bill met his future wife, Jean Wollangk. The two were married August 16, 1947. After living in Wisconsin and Harvey, IL, Bill, Jean and family, settled in Hollywood, FL. in 1953.
