20 | The Fisher Story
1945 First Swedish sales office is
established in Stockholm.
Factory whistle blew to indicate the end of
World War II. The factory shuts down and
employees celebrate.
Bill Fisher and his son,
Russell, pulling the whistle
Employees number 745.
307,227 units produced in a single year.
Flow test area in the Center Street factory, 1943
J.W. “Bill” Fisher
A
s the oldest son in an affluent
family, “Bill” Fisher (born on
July 30, 1914) had the resources
and freedom for creative
pursuits. As a young man, he
was far more interested in opera
and the arts than in running his
family’s company. While he
attended Iowa State University
as an engineering student and
studied musical composition, his
younger brother, Charles Allen
Fisher, was an active participant
in the Fisher Governor Company.
When Allen was killed in a car
accident in 1940, Bill accepted a
job in the finance department.
When his mother retired in
1954, he became president.
Though reluctant to don the
mantel of leadership, Bill wore it
well, guiding the company
through a post-war era of rapid
growth and technical
advancement. He was described
as creative, proud, professional,
energetic, responsive,
far-sighted and dedicated.
Bill expanded Fisher
participation in international
markets and established
facilities overseas.
For the employees at home
he initiated pension plans and
paid vacations.
Known as Bill to all
employees, he wore colored
sweater vests and wing-tip
shoes. He had a male secretary
but Francis Caputo was his
stenographer of choice.