William H. Buchanan Jr. ’59

Bill, a former president of our class, died April 21, 2025.

Born in Summit, N.J., he graduated from Pingry School in 1955, where he was involved in class government and multiple sports. At Princeton, he was on the Freshman Council and class secretary sophomore year. He majored in the Woodrow Wilson School and was a member of Cap and Gown. His roommates were Huddleston, Moore, C.M. Smith, Ryan, and D.E. Stewart.

Following Princeton, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps for six months, then went on to Harvard Law School. His first job with Shearman & Sterling extended until 1970, when he joined Reuben H. Donnelley as general counsel. He was later promoted to its parent company, Dun & Bradstreet, as vice president, secretary, and associate general counsel. He retired in 1997, then joined Spencer Trask, focusing on startups.

Throughout his life, Bill was involved in Princeton and community activities. He was president of the board of the Friends of the Library in Naples, Fla.; a member of the Princeton Alumni Council; on the boards of the Princeton clubs of Southwest Florida and New Canaan; and vice president of the Princeton Club of NYC, to name only a few.

Bill enjoyed tennis, squash, and golf and was noted for his quick wit, infectious laugh, and playful sense of humor.

He survived by his wife, Ellie; his daughters Diana and Jessica; three grandchildren; and his sister, Wendy.