William P. Cargile ’64

Bill died Sept. 20, 2025, at his home in Woodside, Calif., with his wife, Shelley, at his side.

He was born in Montgomery, Ala., where he attended Sidney Lanier High School. He was both a National Merit Scholar and National Science Fair finalist. At Princeton, he majored in electrical engineering and dined at Court Club.

Immediately following graduation, Bill drove his 1949 Chevrolet to California to embark on his career in then-emerging Silicon Valley. He began at Hewlett-Packard, where he worked on the company’s first computer and was project manager for one of its first minicomputers. He subsequently co-founded and led several tech start-ups. He held five patents in fields ranging from digital oscilloscopes to data security. He then transitioned to venture capital, where he advised high-tech companies and helped shape the next generation of digital innovation.

After retirement, Bill dedicated himself to his other passion, conchology. He spent years conducting fieldwork and meticulous study of museum collections of shells. His diving expeditions and collecting trips led to his discovery and naming of four new species and subspecies.

Bill loved a good joke, classical music, dark chocolate, and fine wine. He is survived by Shelley; son Rich; daughter Julie; and stepchild Nikki. He was predeceased by his first wife, Kathy, and son Sterling.