William F. “Mac” McCormick, former chairman and publisher of what is now the Wausau Daily Herald, died June 16, 2003. He was 95.
McCormick became the third publisher of what was then called the Wausau Daily Record-Herald in October 1974 and retired in 1977. He had a long career at the newspaper that also included jobs as office manager, business manager, general manager and assistant publisher. He also was a past president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
Known simply as “Mac,” McCormick was recognized for his newspaper work and efforts on behalf of the community. The Wisconsin Newspaper Association awarded him the Distinguished Service Award; the Boy Scouts named the McCormick Lodge at Camp Phillips in his honor. He was Wausau’s “Outstanding Man of the Year” in 1939 and “Man of the Year” in 1972. He chaired the group that merged Wausau’s two hospitals, led a task force that bolstered the hospital’s open-heart surgery program and was a member of numerous service clubs and foundations.
