William C. Horner ’56

Bill died Sept. 9, 2021, of natural causes. Princeton introduced him to a world beyond his family’s 50-acre farm in Woolwich Township, N.J. Throughout his life, he remained active with and loyal to the Class of ’56.

Bill came to us from Swedesboro High School. At Princeton, he majored in sociology. At Quadrangle Club, he majored in pool and darts. His senior-year roommate was Dave Barclay. Other lifelong friends included Pierre Bennerup and Kirby Holmes.

After graduating cum laude, Bill taught English in France, then returned to teach in Pennsylvania and California. He met his wife, Marilyn, at a French-immersion program at Middlebury, then earned a law degree from the University of San Francisco. In 1968, Bill and Marilyn returned to South Jersey. He practiced law in Salem, eventually partnering with his son Bill as Horner & Horner, Attorneys at Law.

Bill and Marilyn continued as stewards of the family farm, hosting Princeton classmates and many international friends. Bill was a reader, a thinker, a lover of music and poetry, a great conversationalist, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a trusted legal counselor. He is survived by Marilyn; his children Bill, Jennifer, and Sara; his daughter-in-law Sarah; and six grandchildren.