William Arthur "Bill" Siegel

It is with profound sadness that we learn of Bill's passing. He was a bright light, generous, and kind. It was a pleasure to work with him on numerous projects at the Minnesota Humanities Center over the last few years. On behalf of the staff here, we are so very sorry for your loss. We celebrate a life well lived. He was one-of-a-kind. I deeply regret the next project he and I discussed will remain unfinished.

In sorrow,

Remembering your great love story today and always.

I had a tough-love boss/mentor with hiring this brilliant light of a man in one of his early film years in NYC on Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story, some of which kinda made it to the air on Turner TV. "My" Bill was so fertile, so irrepressible, so dots-connecting a researcher that who could be his "boss" -- not me! We were too alike; but god I respected his brainpower and enthusiasm. Even then, Bill had horizons beyond mine to conjure and explore, a maturing vision of his own, and so thankfully he had some time to so brilliantly explore it and finish films - a major achievement - and such lasting films at that. He generously told me at a NYC premiere of his "Ali" that "Bob, we did it." Billy, you did it. It is now my heartfelt honor to be assigning Bill's film(s)to my upcoming university film classes; to remember Bill and celebrate his vision and his craft. I can't yet imagine that he's gone; and can only keep his memory and ethos alive in my heart; and to know that, with our own Sam Green, we had a unique time and team and bond together. I'll always more than be thanking Bill for including my name as a remembrance in his film credits. I'll do the same with his films in my classes and any films I still get to do. Oh, Bill Siegel - Presente!!!

Our hearts are wth you and our arms embrace you with our deep sympathy .
Love, Jack, Sheila and Family