William W. McManus ’44

Bill died Dec. 20, 2008, in Atlanta. He was 86. He loved to stay in touch with us, and his class file is full of cards, memories, and gratitude for his Princeton ties.  

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Bill married Mary Elizabeth (“Lib”) in 1950. Together they traipsed on Princeton trips and to major reunions, including our 60th, and had planned on attending the 65th.  

Bill prepped at the Pingry School, where he was president of the senior class. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering, managed the 150-pound football team, and was a member of Tower Club. His roommates included Warren Knauer, George McGrath, and Henry Smedley.  

He joined Union Carbide after graduating in 1943 and worked in the production of butadiene, which was vital during the war. He retired as the company’s plant manager in Brownsville, Texas, in 1986. Ever civic-minded, Bill was senior warden of his Episcopal church, chairman of the community hospital board, and active in health, education, and youth organizations. In 2002, Bill and Lib moved to Atlanta.  

Bill’s optimism and contagious smile will be sorely missed this spring. Besides Lib, he is survived by two sons, William Jr. and James; two daughters, Ruth Mansfield and Katherine Endress; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Our warm condolences go to all.