William J. Cooksley III ’76

William Cooksley died May 5, 2013, of a heart attack in Austin, Texas.

William was raised in Vestal, N.Y., and graduated from Vestal Central High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. At Princeton he majored in biology and played freshman football and baseball. Bill roomed with his high-school friend, Greg Smayda, as well as Jim Tompkins, Peter Blank, and Andrew Nigolian. He and Andy also roomed together during business school in Texas.

Bill was known as a great athlete, incessantly dribbling a basketball. He played national-level softball in his 20s. In his senior-yearbook essay, William wrote, “Thanks to the boys and all the great things we did. Like afternoon chess, Maxwell, hall hockey, poker, Nerf basketball, bridge . . .”

After graduation, Bill moved to Texas and earned an MBA in finance from Southern Methodist University in 1978. He settled in the Austin area, married Michelle, and together they raised three daughters. He worked at IBM Corp. as a program director in technology and information services.

The class officers extend deepest sympathy to Michelle; daughters Hilary, Adrienne, and Kara; brother Alan, and the extended family.