William Purviance Tams ’38

Bill died on Dec. 14, 2000, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., his vacation home since 1937 and permanent retirement home.

At Princeton, Bill was manager of our varsity track team, belonged to Charter Club, and graduated with a degree (Phi Beta Kappa) in chemistry.

His entire working career was spent with DuPont in Wilmington, Del., mostly centered in research and development and preparation of new ventures.

As secretary of our class for over 31 years, Bill will be remembered fondly by the many classmates with whom he corresponded so faithfully, as well as for his constant appearances at our reunions, where he often played his trumpet with our 8-Ball jazz band.

Wherever he lived, Bill was deeply involved in his community life through his church and his music. Bill's wife of 60 years, Helen, predeceased him in 1997, and his son, Robert, was an early Vietnam casualty. Bill is survived by his sister, Sarah Kreker, his daughter-in-law, Kathryn Tams, his son, James, and grandchildren Sarah, Robert, and William Tams, as well as his many classmates, all of whom will severely miss his lifelong friendship, generosity, and kindness.

The Class of 1938