William A Wiltsie - 298th Engineer Combat Battalion, WWII, WW2
William Arthur Wiltsie
Originally published online 03 July 2011 - Detroit Free Press/Detroit News
Wiltsie William "Bill" Age 86, dear husband of Ann Marie (Gagnon). Beloved father of William Jr. (Karen), Kathryn, Mary Ellen Skene, Thomas, Barbara, Rosemary (Larry) Milliken, Charles, David (Deena), Joseph (Denise), Paul, and Patricia. Grandfather of eighteen and great-grandfather of three. Mr. Wiltsie grew up in the cities of Sugargrove, Pennsylvania and Detroit. A graduate of Northwestern High School, he answered the call of his country and served in the 298th Army Combat Engineers during World War II. He fought in five major battles beginning with the landing at Normandy on D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge. He married his wife Ann Marie in 1948 and in 1952 moved to Livonia where he resided until his death. In the early years Mr. Wiltsie worked at Swift Foods and Hygrade Food Products, where he was credited with developing the original "Ball Park Frank" eight- pack hot dog, which is still the industry standard. In the early sixties he became partners with Charles Reeves & Co, and in 1963 formed his own food brokerage, Wiltsie & Co. Mr. Wiltsie was well known as an honest and principled man who regularly contributed gifts of money and service to charitable organizations and individuals in need, always avoiding recognition. In 2006 he was honored by the National Confectioners Sales Association and was entered into the Candy Hall of Fame. Known across the country as the "Candy Man," Mr. Wiltsie leaves a legacy of the value of hard work, loyalty, and what it means to be family. Funeral Services have taken place with R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, Livonia, in charge of arrangements.
Source: Find A Grave
William Arthur Wiltsie
BIRTH 9 Nov 1924
DEATH 28 Jun 2011 (aged 86)
BURIAL
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan
MEMORIAL ID 200881406
Source: National Confectionery Sales Association candyhalloffame.org
Bill Wiltsie Sr. Inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2006
Born in Detroit on November 9, 1924, Bill attended the University of Detroit. He later joined the U.S. Army and served as a platoon sergeant in the 298th Combat Engineer Battalion. In 1948, he married Anne, and they raised 11 children. Prior to becoming a sales manager at Reeves and Co. in 1960, Bill worked at Hygrade Food where he was instrumental in the development of the Ball Park Frank hot dog. Shortly after joining Reeves, he became president and took over its ownership in 1963. In 1970, his new brokerage, Wiltsie and Co., was the first taken on by a dentist offering Amurol sugarfree candy and gum. Wrigley Co. purchased the line in 1974, and Bill became one of Wrigley�s first brokers. A mentor to future Candy Hall of Famer, A.G. Atwater, Bill was instrumental in developing the first free-standing Kids Fun Section for grocery stores. Bill�s family priest and current Archbishop of Seattle says he has known Bill for 40 years and during that time, I have seen and noted his complete dedication both to his family and to marketing excellent candies. He gives a good name to the candy business and has done so consistently throughout the years. Within the Detroit community, Bill has supported the underprivileged and has anonymously donated his time and money to the needy. A former Little League baseball coach and Cub Scout leader, at the time of his induction Bill enjoyed playing golf at Farmington and Walnut Country Clubs.
Listed in undated, pre-1985, memo from Clycle Haskill, titled “WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW”
WILTSIE, Bill (Ann) A, Food Broker, Wiltsie & Co
[
History ][ Journals ][
Roster ][ Connections ][ Haak
Scrapbook ]
