The
purpose of the Bill and Vi Sigmund Foundation is to
assist citizens of Jackson and Lenewee Counties, Michigan
in improving the quality of their lives.
The Foundation does this by providing grants for
educational, charitable, civic,
literary, or cultural purposes.
In 2002, Jackson and Lenawee counties became the beneficiaries of Bill
and Vi Sigmund’s generosity and thoughtfulness through the establishment
of a private foundation. The Sigmund’s understood the value
of the foundation concept and the ongoing benefits that it provides within
a community.
Bill
was born on June 18, 1914, at Naperville, Illinois. After graduating
from high school, he attended Northwestern University night school. In
1933, he started employment with Kraft Foods in Chicago where he eventually
supervised 26 sales branch offices in the Midwest. From 1943 to
1946, Bill was in the US Army Air Force where he flew C 47’s and
gliders in England and France. These activities developed his lifelong
passion for flight. He first soloed in 1934 and was an active pilot
until 1985.
Bill was forty-three years old and had a successful career with Kraft
Foods. After meeting with Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald’s
hamburger chain, Bill and Vi decided to leap into a new career. In1959,
they opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in the Jackson area.
Eight additional stores in Jackson, Adrian, Albion and Tecumseh
were added through the years
Vi, also an Illinois native, and Bill were married in 1940. She was co-owner/operator
of their McDonald’s franchises. She enjoyed traveling with
her husband as well as flying her husband’s plane. Although
she and her husband never had children of their own, they cared about
their young employees and were instrumental in guiding many to appreciate
and practice a strong work ethic.
Both Bill and Vi were very community minded and were involved with a variety
of organizations and events. Bill’s many activities included
serving as a trustee of the Jackson County Community Foundation and board
member of Junior Achievement, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Space
Center, Midwest Bank and the Boy Scouts. Vi participated in the Rose Pageant,
Lioness Club, Eastern star along with many other charitable organizations.
Bill and Vi were married for 62 years. Vi passed away in 2002 and
Bill in 2003.