William B. Sanford ’41

We have learned that Ben died of Alzheimer’s disease Sept. 8, 2008, in Dallas, Texas.  

Ben came to Princeton from the Peddie School, majored in architecture, joined Terrace Club and the Glee Club, and participated in Club Food Distribution. He roomed with John Sease freshman year and with Ray Mount junior and senior years.  

Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and was commissioned six months later. Ben saw four years of service, three overseas. He put in a year on a bay tender in the Hawaiian Islands, a year as watch officer on a patrol frigate in New Guinea, and another year as beach master in the Philippines. He went on inactive duty in 1945 as a lieutenant but continued in the Reserve, separating as a lieutenant commander after 20 years.

After his service, Ben went into the retail furniture business in New York, but then moved to Dallas to work for House & Table, later Covins, where he had a very successful career as an interior designer. He became an executive of the Texas chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Predeceased by his wife, Barbara Lindeman Sanford, he is survived by his daughter, Jill, and his son, Peter.