In 2024, the Polarities of Democracy Institute is pleased to announce the Williard C. Kayser, Jr. Memorial Fund for Democracy to honor the lifelong commitment to Democracy of “Bill” Kayser (1938-2023). This fund, which endows a portion of the Institute’s programming operations, is made possible by a bequest guided by two of Bill’s four children: one of the Institute's Co-Founders Cliff W. Kayser, III, and his sister Lori Jane Kayser.

Bill was beloved by countless family members, friends, and professional colleagues, and considered to be thoughtful, honorable, and dedicated to service.  Throughout his adulthood, bill carried in his wallet a copy of his fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon's creed, The True Gentleman by John Walter Wayland.

He did not cringe before power or boast of his own achievements... 

Such as in 1952, when at age 13, Bill won the Soap Box Derby in his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana.

...a man with whom honor was sacred and virtue safe... 

His memorable experiences as a Boy Scout inspired Bill to participate in ROTC while attending Purdue University and then Indiana University, where in 1960 he graduated with a B.S. in business administration. Bill supplemented his education through night studies at the Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management before beginning his two years of military service. He was assigned to the 541st military intelligence detachment at Fort Meade and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and graduated from Army Intelligence school in 1961. In 1962, he served in the Armored Cavalry Regiment and US Army Intelligence as an aerial observer in regimental headquarters, achieving promotion to First Lieutenant.

Bill's post-military career began in Chicago, Illinois, as a security analyst at the Continental Casualty Company. In 1963, Bill joined The Northern Trust Company, where for the next 16 years he held roles in Investment Research, Personal Trust, and Employee Benefit Funds. In 1979, he transferred to Sarasota, Florida, where he served as a Senior Investment Officer, Deputy Trust Officer, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Economist before his appointment to Senior Vice President in 1994, and eventual retirement after 41 years of dedicated service.

... a man who was himself humbled when necessity compelled him to humble another...

Bill will forever be remembered for his kindness, exceptional generosity, droll sense of humor, encyclopedic command of facts, and photographic memory of annual stock prices and other statistics

... deed that followed his word... whose conduct proceeded from good will and an acute sense of propriety... whose self-control was equal to all emergencies...

he did not flatter wealth, cringe before power and spoke with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy... Bill's many civic causes included the Boy Scouts (Council and Executive Board and VP of the Explorer Program), Siesta Key Utility Authority (Council Commissioner Trustee and Treasurer for 14 years), and Mote Marine laboratory research associate volunteer in the dolphin research program.

The Institute is honored that Bill and his family have chosen our critical work in Democracy to honor his legacy.