Spoor, William Howard (Billy) Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Pillsbury Company, died on November 14, 2014 at his home in Salt Lake City, UT, surrounded by family. He died exactly as he lived, with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms. While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without him, he and our mother, who passed before him, are still very much with us. Our father's incredible work ethic, sense of humor and love of life are at the heart of everything he did. We have all been influenced by his values and spirit. Bill was born January 16, 1923 in Pueblo, CO to Doris Slaughter Spoor and Charles Hinchman Spoor. The family eventually moved to Denver, where he was raised and educated. In 1941, Bill was accepted to Dartmouth College on a full athletic scholarship. He was an incredibly gifted athlete and a fierce competitor. He excelled in all sports, especially football and track and field. In 1942, he delayed his college education by volunteering for the US Army's 10th Mountain Division. Bill trained at Camp Hale in the mountains west of Denver and spent three and a half years in the Army. Even as a young soldier, his leadership abilities were clearly evident. Instead of being sent overseas with his division, Bill was ordered to officer candidate school and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Infantry. After the war, Bill returned to Dartmouth where he received his degree in history and education in 1949. It was at Dartmouth that he met the love of his life Janet Spain, a student at Smith College. From that moment forward, she would become the most important person in his life. He would forever be "Billy" to her. Bill was often heard saying that "I make the living and Jan makes the living worthwhile." They were married in New York City on September 23, 1950 and embarked on what was to become, an extraordinary life. After graduating from Dartmouth, Bill began his career with The Pillsbury Company. For more than 20 years Bill focused on his internationalist vision and values, first as Area Sales Manager of Pillsbury's Export Division (New York) and later as Vice President and General Manager of International Operations. In 1965, he attended Stanford University's Executive Development Program. In 1973, he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Pillsbury and "set his vision" for the company. Bill ran The Pillsbury Company from 1973 until his retirement in 1985, returning briefly to both positions in 1988. Bill and his team not only brought Pillsbury great profitability, but they ensured it was shared with others. "Our success as a company fueled our ability to give," he said. "This enabled us to fully fund The Pillsbury Company Foundation and routinely contribute four percent of our domestic taxable income." Under Bill's leadership, Pillsbury grew dramatically. His team invested substantial sums in expanded research and development, but much of the growth came through acquisitions, most significantly Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Totino's Pizza, Steak & Ale, Godfather's Pizza, American Beauty Macaroni, Van de Kamps and Bumble Bee Tuna, and through the expansion of Burger King. Bill believed that integrity is an essential character trait for managing a company successfully. To that, he would add commitment and a lot of energy. Speaking of his work as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pillsbury, he said, "You must have a vision and a clear understanding of where you're going, what you're trying to accomplish, and how you are going to accomplish it." Bill was an astute judge of character and was excellent at reading people. At the time Bill became Chairman and CEO in 1973, Pillsbury sales were $816 million annually, profits were $20 million and earnings per share were $1.60. When he retired from Pillsbury in 1985, sales had grown more than fivefold to $4.7 billion. Profits were $192 million, and earning per share were $4.42. It was, he said, "a very different company" when he left. Bill was generous with his time, talents and his good fortune in advancing causes that reflected his values. He served as director and executive committee member of the United Negro College Fund. He helped raise $32 million for the Minnesota Orchestral Association. He served on the executive committee of the Minnesota Historical Society, as a director of the Minneapolis based Inner City Tennis and as chairman of the YWCA Tribute to Women in International Industry. He was also a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award in 1986. Bill enjoyed his work as head of the Capitol City Renaissance Program task force, appointed in 1985 by Gov. Rudy Perpich, to develop a plan for redesigning the area around the Minnesota Capitol. The task force sought to bring to life the long-delayed plan for the area developed by the celebrated Capitol architect, Cass Gilbert. He also served on the National Cambodia Crisis Committee and on the board of the Foundation for Management Education in Central America as well as serving on the boards of directors of Northwest Bancorporation, Northwestern National Bank, Honeywell, Inc., Dayton-Hudson Corporation, Berkley & Company, Inc., Piper, Jaffray incorporated, The Coleman Company and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Las Vegas. Bill's degree from Dartmouth College was one of his most treasured accomplishments. For the remainder of his life, he would demonstrate his appreciation for his alma mater in a variety of ways. In return, Bill was honored by Dartmouth with its Presidential medal for Outstanding Leadership and Achievement. For many years, he was closely involved with the Dartmouth Dialogues on Leadership, a program established by Pillsbury in his name. His work for Dartmouth and other institutions of learning brought election to Phi Beta Kappa. In 2005, Jan and Bill moved from their Wayzata, MN home of 40 years to Salt Lake City to be closer to their children and grandchildren. An avid fisherman, he and Jan spent many happy hours fishing on the lakes, rivers and streams of Colorado, Minnesota and their beloved Saratoga, WY. He enriched the lives of everyone he touched through his generosity, quick wit, integrity and loyalty. Bill was a larger than life presence, ingenious at turning a phrase, clever and funny beyond measure and lived his life honorably. Bill was preceded in death by his beautiful and loving wife of 63 years, Janet Spain Spoor; his parents Doris Slaughter Spoor, Charles Hinchman Spoor; his sister Dorothy Spoor Arnold and brother Charles Hinchman Spoor, Jr. He is survived by his children Melanie Grace Spoor, Cynthia Field Spoor (Douglas Howard), William Lincoln Spoor (Sarah), six grandchildren: Charles Spoor Howard, Anna Grace Howard, Blakely Madison Spoor, Savannah Spain Spoor, William Walker Spoor and Lincoln Campbell Spoor; his brother T. Richard Spoor (Ann) of Lakeville, CT and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and respected him. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice. Fisherman's Prayer I pray that I may live to fish Until my dying day; And when I come to my last cast, I then most humbly pray, When in the Lord's great landing net And peacefully asleep That in His mercy I be judged Big enough to keep.