William W. Wanamaker Jr. ’46

William Wanamaker died March 10, 2010, in Alexandria, Va.

Bill was born in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where his father was serving in the Army Corps of Engineers. He lived in the Philippines for several years and traveled in China. Later, he attended schools in Washington, D.C., and Little Rock, Ark., graduating from high school in Dallas, Texas, and spending summers in the White Mountains. He earned an Eagle Scout badge before entering Princeton in the summer of 1942. In February 1943, he left for the Army at Fort Sill, Okla., became a battery officer, and entered flying school. In 1945 he went to Europe, where he served in the German occupation until 1946, when he returned to Princeton to graduate as a history major in February 1949.

His career was teaching history at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va. He always enjoyed books and opera.  

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Josepha Serio; two sons, Kurt W. and Bruce; a daughter, Susanne E. Wanamaker ’86; and two grandchildren.