Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he attended Runnymede Collegiate in Toronto, graduating as valedictorian at 17. At Princeton he studied chemical engineering, played freshman and JV hockey, belonged to Elm Club, and was secretary-treasurer of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Bill fondly remembered his time at Princeton and his friends there. A philosophy course with Carl G. Hempel left a lasting impression.
He earned an MBA from McMaster and then a doctorate in business administration from Indiana University. His research focused on quantitative business analysis. He joined the business faculty at McMaster and eventually became dean. Bill took early retirement and enjoyed a quiet life at home with his partner and their two dogs. He liked curling, golf, opera, travel, and volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, and he took great interest in the lives and thoughts of his children and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his partner, Mary Lou Lascelles; two children, Mark and Mary; and three grandchildren, Sam, Lucy, and Maya.