William Joseph Cigan died November 20, 2005, at Sacred Heart Hospital. Bill was born in Chicago, IL, on April 19, 1927, to Nick and Olga Cigan. They moved to the Stanley area when he was in grade school.\r\nHe graduated from Stanley High School after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving on board the cruiser Wichita for the duration of the war. After the war, he moved to Gary, Indiana, and worked at U.S. Steel. In 1947, Bill returned to the Eau Claire area and attended Eau Claire Teachers College (UWEC) receiving a degree in Education in 1952. Eau Claire then became his home.\r\nFrom 1953 to 1958 Bill was employed by Big Ten Sales, Chicago, Illinois, as a candy/toy broker selling throughout the Midwest to master jobbers and drug store chains. He was manager/owner of Variety Vending, a full-service vending company from 1958 to 1974. From 1959 to 1980 he owned Variety Office Products, an office products/furniture dealership. From 1964 to the present he owned Kwik Kafe Coffee, an office and restaurant beverage service. In 1978 he developed Honor Shoppe, a national franchise company and full line vending company. From 1989 to 1997 he owned Eau Claire Book and Stationary. From 1958 to the present he was president of Cigan Properties, a commercial real estate development firm. In 1992, Bill and his son, Jack Kaiser, purchased the former Uniroyal Plant, now Banbury Place. \r\nIn 1984 he was presented the Small Business Person of the Year award by the Greater Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. Since 1986 to the present time he served as director of American Alliance Bank, and was given an outstanding Senior Citizen Award of Wisconsin. Bill was a 32nd and 33rd degree mason in the George Wheeler Lodge #351 F&AM and an active member of his church.\r\nBill is survived by his wife, Patti (Murkovic) Cigan, and children Jack (Sally) Kaiser, their children, Max and Marni of Eau Claire, WI, Ann Kaiser of Beverly Hills, CA, two children by a prior marriage, Greg (Barbara) Cigan and son Nathaniel, Chicago, IL, Laurie Cigan and son Jayd Phelps of Eau Claire, and a brother, John, of Eau Claire.\r\nMemorial services for Bill will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini officiating. The family will receive friends at a luncheon reception following the service.\r\nBill will long be remembered for his commitment to family, friends and community. \r\nThe family requests no flowers as they would prefer memorials be given to the church, a charity or a worth while cause of your choice.\r\n
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