William Scheerer II ’45

Bill entered Princeton from The Hill School, following in the footsteps of his father, Joseph ’21, and preceding his brother, Joseph Jr. ’48. He was a member of Cottage Club. His war service with the 78th Signal Heavy Construction Battalion in the Philippines ended at Yokohama with the Japanese surrender.  

Returning to Princeton, Bill earned a degree in politics in 1948 and joined the family dairy company in Newark, N.J. However, he shortly left to enter the investment-banking business, in which he was very successful.  

Although Bill and his wife Idoline entertained the class often at their New York City apartment, he spent every summer in East Hampton, N.Y., which he loved. Bill was a lifelong tennis player and swimmer, but music and finance were his lifelong passions. At his parties, he was the center of attraction around his beloved piano. He often performed at piano bars in New York City.  

In addition to Idoline, from whom he was separated, Bill is survived by his son, Thomas; daughters Jane Parkes, Laura Whitney, and Idoline Duke; his brother, Joseph; four grandsons; and two granddaughters, to all of whom the class expresses its sympathy.