James MacWilliam Jr. ’54

James MacWilliam died Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston from complications following open-heart surgery.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he prepared for college at Wilkes-Barre Academy and Wyoming Seminary. A second-generation Princeton graduate, he was a politics major, a member of Cap and Gown Club, and manager of varsity wrestling. After graduation, he became a flight instructor in the Naval Air Corps and was stationed in Florida.

Jim built a career in Houston by founding the commercial-insurance firm of Essary, Hart & MacWilliam. He continued at Insurance Concepts, which later became Bancorp South.

For five decades, Jim was chairman of Princeton’s Houston-based schools committee, during which he helped almost 1,000 students with their college applications. He coached baseball at Sharpstown High School in Houston and was chairman of the nonprofit Cancer Counseling Inc. He personally overcame three forms of cancer in his lifetime. He maintained an optimistic attitude and had an infectious smile.

The class extends its condolences to his wife, Karen; his children, Catherine, James, Payson, Walker, and Christopher; stepsons Craig and Keith; his sister, Anne; and his 10 grandchildren.