William C. Earhart ’36

Bill died April 6, 2010, in Portland, Ore.  

Coming to us from Pittsburgh, Bill graduated from Princeton with honors in politics. He was on the cross country and gym teams and in the Glee Club and Elm Club.

In World War II, Bill always said he fought the “battle of the Mojave Desert.” Stationed in California as a weatherman, he was a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.

As an employee of a large insurance company, Bill became an administrator of Teamster employee benefit plans in 1954. In 1962 he started his own business, the William C. Earhart Co., in Portland. The company became a leader, and Bill’s voice became a respected one in the benefit-plans field. The company still thrives under the guidance of younger generations.  

Bill loved jokes and limericks and delivered them well. He also loved music, model trains, and cooking over an open fire. He played singles tennis into his 80s.

“Mike,” Bill’s wife of 51 years, predeceased him. Bill was an only child, but Mike and Bill had 11 children. He is survived by 10 children, 41 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. We sympathize with them in the loss of this good and accomplished man.