Bill died April 1, 2015, in his home in White Plains, N.Y., surrounded by family.

Born in Puerto Rico where his father was a minister and his mother a teacher, Bill was a graduate of Millbrook Prep. He was raised in Smithfield, N.Y. At Princeton he roomed senior year with Marius Jansen, majored in history, and was on the dean’s list. Bill was a member of Prospect Club and the Westminster Cabinet.

He graduated from Princeton in 1943. Afterward, Bill went to Princeton Theological Seminary and then to the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1951. He served as a minister in Amenia, N.Y., and Eastchester, N.Y., before working with the Department of Social Services while preaching at churches without a minister.

A devoted member of ’44, Bill attended 17 reunions, including eight majors. He was predeceased by his wife, Christine Gillespie James. He is survived by sons David ’77 and Robert; daughter Mary Little and her husband, Charles; and three adored grandchildren, Jamie, Molly, and Annie.

This memorial includes corrected information about William James’ survivors and hometown.

Undergraduate Class of 1944