William D. Pettit Sr. ’41

Bill died Feb. 9, 2015.

He spent his 94 years building a remarkable life that included a successful career on Wall Street, distinguished service with the 28th Division of Patton’s Third Army in World War II, two marriages, five children, and a large and loving family of 56 descendants.

Bill came to Princeton from the Asheville (N.C.) School, where he was a student leader and excellent athlete. He studied psychology and loved his Princeton experience. Bill joined Cannon Club, played golf and ice hockey, and was a three-year participant and letterman in football. He was a member of the championship team of 1941, and his class won the “Big Three” in three sports (football, hockey, and baseball) — an event enshrined in the class logo. He also participated in ROTC, which led to his Army enlistment in the summer of 1941. He was president of the class from 1993 to 1999 and served as Reunions chair several times.

Bill loved everything about Princeton, and if there is a great alumni chapter in the hereafter, we are sure he is proudly leading its members in locomotives.