James B Wigdale

James Wigdale, who led one of Wisconsin's largest banks for over a decade, has died at age 85. Wigdale spent his career at Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley Corp., operator of M&I Bank, where he became chief executive officer and board chair in 1992. He retired as Marshall & Ilsley Corp. CEO in 2001 and as chair in 2004. BMO Harris Bank bought Marshall & Ilsley in 2011. Wigdale died Wednesday January 26 2022 in Milwaukee. Retired; Chairman of the Board of the Company from December 1992 to December 2004, Chief Executive Officer of the Company from October 1992 to December 2001, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company from December 1988 to December 1992; Chairman of the Board, January 1989 to October 2001, Chief Executive Officer, September 1987 to October 2001, and Director since 1981 of M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. Also a director of Green Bay Packaging Inc. and Sentry Insurance. He also served on several nonprofit and civic boards, including Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Greater Milwaukee Committee and YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Wigdale's business mentor was John "Jack" Puelicher, the last of three generations of Puelichers who ran Marshall & Ilsley. Wigdale was married to his wife, Libby, for 62 years before her death in June 2021. His survivors include five children, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.