William R. Bingham ’42

Bill died peacefully March 27, 2017, with his children at his side. A longtime resident of Wayne, N.J., he was 96.

During World War II, he served in the Essex Troop and Mounted Guard. He married Louise See Dec. 27, 1947, in the wake of the Great Blizzard of 1947 that brought the northeastern United States — but not Bill — to a standstill. He proudly told of his five-mile trek to the chapel, with his wedding clothes rolled up in a rucksack.

Bill worked as a chemical engineer for U.S. Rubber for decades, and then with Allied Chemical (later Allied Signal), retiring when he was well into in his 70s.

He was a lifelong avid supporter of Princeton, attending many football games and all reunions. For years he sent cards and made phone calls to all members of his class on their birthdays.

Bill was a nature enthusiast and taught many to enjoy hiking, swimming, diving, sailing, canoeing, skating, skiing, tennis, camping, and the beauty of Packanack Lake and Maine. Well into his 80s he was climbing his favorite mountain, Baldface in New Hampshire, a tough 10-mile circuit.

Referred to by many as their “knight in shining armor,” Bill loved helping people — whether it was to shovel their snow, cut and collect firewood, usher at church, dig out a stuck car, drive them to and from the airport and medical appointments, or play games with the children.

Bill is survived by Louise, his wife of almost 70 years; daughters Betsy and Barbara; sons Jim and Tom; 10 grandchildren; two-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. His sister, Louise Hatch, predeceased him.