Carron Net announces passing of William Kiel, Sr.

August 11, 2016

Carron Net Company, Inc. is saddened to announce the passing of William Kiel Sr.

William Kiel Sr. helped to make Carron Net, now a fourth generation owned company, what it is today. Starting in June of 1959, Bill’s first job with the Company was tarring nets in the basement of the company’s plant at 1623 17th Street, a fact about which he spoke with great pride in later years. In 1975 he followed in his Uncle Norman Carron’s footsteps and was appointed General Manager. In October 1986, the Executive team consisting of Bill, Paul Carron, Eugene Carron, and Donald Schweiger began the third generation of family ownership by purchasing the company from Norman and his wife, Fyrne. Bill carried the title of Vice President until he was named President of the company in 1988, a position he held for the remainder of his career at Carron Net. In November of 2000, Bill purchased the ownership shares of his three partners and became sole owner of Carron Net. At that time Bill’s son, William Kiel Jr. and son-in-law, Troy Christiansen joined the company. In February of 2008, Bill retired, passing control to Bill Jr. and Troy, the fourth generation of Family ownership.

During his nearly 50 years of service to Carron Net, Bill was integrally involved in many changes including the construction of the 27th Street production facility, continual evolution of Carron’s sports net product offerings, the exit from the fishing net business and the subsequent development of the Company’s industrial netting product line, which now comprise about half its sales. Through it all Bill’s vision, drive and passionate dedication to Carron’s customers and employees were the one constant.

“The Carron Net Company and Troy and I personally will be forever indebted to my father,” said Bill Kiel Jr., President and CEO. “This was his life’s work and his commitment to doing everything he could to ensure that the business continued to operate here in Two Rivers for the sake of his family as well as our employees is his lasting legacy.”

In memoriam of Bill and his lifelong contributions to Carron Net, the company will be closed on Wednesday, August 17, the day of Bill’s funeral.