The Willennar Foundation was established in August of 1964 per the final will and testament of William H. Willennar, prominent Auburn businessman. Mr. Willennar’s will decreed the foundation’s exclusive purpose to be “for the use and benefit of charitable and educational purposes and institutions in Auburn and its immediate vicinity.”

Mr. Willennar was born in 1875 near Pleasant Lake, Indiana and, at the age of 17, was the first graduate of Pleasant Lake High School in 1893. He graduated from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, and served a time as the official reporter for the DeKalb-Steuben Circuit Court.

He worked briefly for the Auburn Automobile Company, and in 1910 collaborated with A.L. Murray to organize the Double Fabric Tire Company, which later became the Auburn Rubber Company. In 1924, Mr. Willennar sold his interest in that company and joined a group of Auburn businessmen to purchase controlling interest in the Auburn State Bank. He served as president of the bank until 1942, when he was elected chairman of the board, a position he held until his death on September 2, 1961.

Mr. Willennar was a strong supporter of civic and charitable causes. He was a 50-year member of Auburn’s Masonic lodge, a member of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and Shrine, and very active in Republican politics, serving as county chairman and candidate for state representative.

Before his death in 1961 at the age of 85, Mr. Willennar was one of the key supporters of the effort to build the DeKalb Memorial Hospital. The foundation he established has continued to be a major support of community support over the years. Major beneficiaries of the foundation’s generosity have included: the Auburn Arts and Humanities Commission, the Auburn, Cord & Duesenberg Museum, the Children First Center, Campus Youth-For-Christ, the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, the DeKalb Memorial Hospital, the Eckhart Public Library, the Heimach Senior Citizen Center, Operation Shelter and the United Way.

Mr. Willennar was survived by two daughters, Mrs. Alice Willennar Close (who lived in Frankfort, Michigan and died August 24, 1996) and Aileen Willennar. Aileen Willennar left a substantial gift to the foundation at her death.

--Couretesy The Evening Star October 31,1994