William R. Aikens ’55

Bill was born Dec. 11, 1933, in Detroit to Katherine S. and B. Allen Aikens Jr. He died Jan. 20, 2018, in Birmingham, Mich.

At Princeton, Bill majored in mechanical engineering and joined the Orange Key Society and Cottage Club. He roomed in 92 Patton Hall with Sid Harris, Ernie Ruehl, and Les Colbert.

After a stint in the Marines and marriage to Alice Shaw in 1960, he practiced law in New York City with Dewey Ballantyne, but he soon returned to Birmingham to join brother Bob’s law firm.

Bill’s adventurous spirit fueled his love for flying. He was especially fond of his numerous floatplanes, one of which he flew to Alaska to sell. One summer, with a crew of eight, he sailed a 58-foot sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean. He enjoyed scuba diving, skiing, wine making, and duck hunting. He was also a collector of classic cars and boats.

Bill was on the board of Cranbrook Art Academy for 15 years and was a supporter of Cornerstone Schools in Detroit. A founder and first chairman of the Bank of Birmingham, Bill was also involved in real estate and manufacturing. He was CEO of Whyco Finishing Technologies.

Bill is survived by his wife, Alice; daughters Susan and her husband, Nick, and Sarah ’84 and her husband, Tom; son Andrew and his wife, Gina; and eight grandchildren.