He was born Sept. 6, 1934, in Beaver Falls, Pa., the son of Genevieve (Leigh) and Joy Young McCandless. In 1952 he entered Princeton and became a proud member of Cap and Gown. Bill never forgot his undergraduate friendships, and attended many football games over the years, using Cap as his home base.
In 1955, Bill married Patricia Pendleton Smith of Washington, D.C., and they had three children. The marriage ended in 1975.
After graduation, Bill worked for U.S. Steel and U.S. Pipe & Foundry before joining Xaloy Inc., eventually becoming president. Spending most of his adult life in Bucks County, Pa., he was involved in many organizations, including Trinity Church in Solebury, where he was on the vestry.
In 1970, he bought the old telephone “switching-office” house on Swan’s Island, Maine, which he renovated as a vacation home. It was his favorite place on earth. But above that, his loyalty, enthusiasm, and love of Princeton were the touchstones of his life.
Bill is survived by his partner of a decade, Diana Sargent; three children, William W. Jr., DeForest G., and Virginia Ballou; and 11 grandchildren. Donations in his name may be sent to Princeton Class of 1956 Annual Giving, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543.