Announcing the Passing of Willard W. Bickford
Willard W. Bickford
1927-2021
It is with great sadness that the Bickford Family and all at Clyde’s Donuts announce the passing of Chairman Emeritus and second generation owner Willard W. Bickford.
Willard W. Bickford, known as ‘Bill’, and affectionately referred to by his employees as “Mr. B”, aged 94, died on November 6, 2021, in Schaumburg, Illinois. He was born in Corning, Iowa in 1927, and raised on his family’s farm. He was the youngest of 8 siblings. After a short career in the U.S. Navy at the very end of World War II, he moved to Chicago and began his career at Clyde’s Delicious Donuts on April 1, 1948, working for the man who would become his father-in-law.
After taking full ownership of Clyde’s in 1963, the company embarked on a period of growth and modernization for many decades. Bill provided ‘hands on’ direction and leadership of the company into the 21st century. Dad loved his work and career at Clyde’s, he loved donuts, and he loved the many employees who have made Clyde’s successful.
