William James Rushton III ’51

Billy died Sept. 30, 2021, in Birmingham, Ala., after a long and successful career as CEO of a major life insurance company and leadership roles in many charitable, community, and church organizations. 

Billy came to Princeton from Exeter, roomed with Walt Clemons, played 150-pound football, and was active in the Westminster Foundation. He joined Quadrangle Club and majored in mathematics. An ROTC student, he was sent to Fort Sill upon graduation, where he met his wife, LaVona Price. He was then sent to Korea, where he won a Bronze Star as a battery commander.

Upon Army discharge Billy worked briefly for Prudential Life, then joined the family company, Protective Life Insurance Co. in Birmingham, serving in a variety of actuarial, sales, and administrative positions before becoming CEO in 1969. During his 22-year tenure, the company grew exponentially and moved to a new, modern headquarters.

At the same time, Billy was on the boards of a half-dozen major corporations, headed the United Way and the Community Foundation, and was active in many community organizations and the First Presbyterian Church.

Billy is survived by three sons and his brother, James Rushton ’53. LaVona predeceased him.