It seemed like Dr. Svendsen’s work with stem cells held out hope for treating and perhaps one day curing or possible preventing Parkinson’s disease, ALS and similar neural diseases and damage. We thought, 'If we’re donating to the UW already, why not direct some of it to this research that can really change lives for the better?'

Brenda McCroskey

A Family Affair

What does a parent do when a child is ill or is struggling with a long term or ongoing ailment? Most likely you would learn all you could to help them recover or cope with the challenges that they face. This is exactly what William (Bill) and Doris Willis of Bradenton, Florida, did.

The couple, who met while attending the UW and later married, raised five children. The family had its challenges with Asperger syndrome (AS), autism and attention deficit disorder, all genetic conditions passed down through the family.

Asperger syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that can range from mild to severe. Individuals with AS have normal intelligence and language development, but they exhibit autistic-like behaviors and have marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. Doris, some of her children and some of their grandchildren have been affected by either Asperger syndrome or a combination of neurological disorders.

Bill and Doris were at a University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty showcase event in Florida, where they saw and heard Marsha Seltzer, director of the Waisman Center and Vaughan Bascom Professor of Social Work and Pediatrics. It was the first time they heard of the Waisman Center and the work that was being done there. The talk fascinated them because they were looking for answers for their family. It was the beginning of a long and meaningful relationship.

In 2004 they created the Bill and Doris Willis Fund for the Waisman Center-Autism and Related Development Disabilities for preliminary investigations by researchers associated with the Waisman Center for new initiatives on autism and supporting work related to autism, fragile x syndrome and ADHD.
More recently couple pledged $350,000 to create a lab to be used by a scientist who studies autism or a related disorder. Bill and Doris also are supporting the Center’s Laboratory Renovation Project. The project, launched in 2005, will upgrade approximately 20,000 square feet of outdated laboratory facilities in the south tower, which was constructed in 1973. The state-of-the-art laboratory space will support world-class biomedical research on human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.

“We’re interested in everything the Waisman Center does,” said Bill. “We also believe that we should give back to our alma mater.”

Their gifts to the Waisman Center come from their heart. Their connection to the Waisman Center is very personal. Each year they have a “camp” for their grandchildren at their summer home near Wautoma, Wisconsin. They take them to cultural events, historic landmarks and other places where they can grow intellectually. A visit to the Waisman Center was included in one such camp.

Bill and Doris Willis are shown in the second row with their grandchildren at one of their annual summer "camps."

“We like to take our family to all the places where we are philanthropic and show them how the money is being used,” said Doris. “We loaded the 18 grandkids in a bus and headed to Madison. When we arrived at the Waisman Center, we toured the facilities, and then Dr. Richard Davidson, a world-renowned researcher at the University and a pioneer in the exciting frontier of mind-body medicine, gave our family a personal lecture. This trip emphasized to the kids that we are giving to the Waisman Center because we want to make their future better.”

Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, after which he enrolled at the UW-Madison on the GI Bill. He and Doris met the first week of their freshman year at an open house sponsored by their church. They were serious students and wanted to get the most from their education so they could make a difference. Doris (’50 BS L&S) and Bill (’50 BA L&S, ’52 LLB LAW) married, and Doris became the breadwinner while Bill went to UW law school. When Bill went to work as an attorney, Doris focused on raising a family. She was an active volunteer in church groups, Girl Scouts and any other organization in which the Willis’ kids were associated. “I loved working in groups and had extensive training in all of the volunteer organizations,” said Doris.

Bill, who spent his entire career as an attorney, retired as a partner of Foley and Lardner law firm in 1987. He was active with Planned Parenthood and was on the state board of directors when the first Planned Parenthood center was built in Madison. He also was on the organization’s national board of directors.
Today, the couple is active in the UW-Madison Alumni Club in Sarasota, Florida. Bill served as president and continues to serve on the board of directors. The couple’s generosity and areas of support to UW-Madison also include the Kemp Natural Resources State Enhancement Fund, the A.R. Albert Horticultural Garden Endowment, the William and Doris Willis Rhinelander Fund, the Gene Therapy Building Fund, the Law School Building Fund, the general Law School Fund, the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Fund and the Memorial Union.

"Bill and Doris Willis are remarkable people. Their generous gifts to the Waisman Center are a wonderful way to honor their family with a legacy for the future. The Willis family gives life to our work,” said Marsha Seltzer.