FOR CITY TIMES

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – George W. Mead, II, an icon in the Wisconsin and North American paper industry, died July 29 in Madison. He was 94.

Mead was well known for his leadership of Consolidated Papers, Inc., formerly headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, as well as his leadership in the paper industry.

At the time of his death, Mead continued to serve as Chairman of the Mead Witter Foundation, Inc., a family philanthropic foundation.

Mead was Chairman and CEO of Consolidated Papers, Inc. from 1971 to 1993. He continued to serve as Chairman until 2000, when the company was purchased by Stora Enso, Oyj, a paper company headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Mead was invited to serve on the Stora Enso Board of Directors, which he did until 2004.

Mead first joined Consolidated Papers in 1952. He became vice-president of operations in 1962, and was elected a corporate director in 1963. In 1966, Mead became president and CEO, a post held until he became chairman and CEO in 1971.

Mead was born in Milwaukee Oct. 11, 1927. He is the son of Stanton and Dorothy Mead, the grandson of George Wilson Mead and Ruth Witter Mead and the great-grandson of J.D. and Emily Witter, all of Wisconsin Rapids.

A celebration of life will be held in Wisconsin Rapids in the fall.