J. Wilson Borden Jr. ’50

Bill Borden died of cancer Aug. 17, 2007, in Bryn Mawr, Pa. “He brought to all his activities a lovely sense of humor, diligence, and integrity,” said his daughter Cynthia.

He was born in Philadelphia, graduated from the Haverford School, and served in the Army in the Philippines from 1945 to 1946. At Princeton, Bill studied basic engineering and was a member of Tower Club.

After graduation he joined John Borden & Bro. Inc., the mechanical engineering firm his great-grandfather founded in 1835. He later headed the company, which completed several Center City Philadelphia high-rises. When the firm closed, he earned a master’s at Penn’s Wharton School in 1979 and became a consulting engineer

Bill was a classic-car enthusiast, buying his first, a 1923 Rolls-Royce, while in high school. He owned other classic cars, driving his 1954 Bristol until six months before his death. He was active in several classic-auto clubs. He was past president, treasurer, and board member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Ardmore, Pa., and a member of Rotary International.

Our condolences go to his daughters, Cynthia and Ardis; son Peter; and five grandchildren. Joan, his wife of 48 years, died in 1999.