January 11, 2024, Searsmont, Maine
Williams service
- The Ephraim Williams Society
- Class Secretary
Williams relatives
- Mr. Samuel A. Wardwell ’77 (Child)
- Martha Wardwell Goodnow ’79 (Child)
Date reported: January 23, 2024
January 11, 2024, Searsmont, Maine
Williams service
Williams relatives
Date reported: January 23, 2024
Frederick Bugbee Wardwell, Williams class of 1945, born on November 28, 1922, died at home on January 11, 2024. He is survived by the usual assortment of children and grandchildren.
Enlisting in the Marine Air Corp after Freshman year he became a bomber pilot (B-25) and served in the Pacific. Released from duty in 1946 Fred attended first Cornell, then the Syracuse Pulp and Paper School instead of returning to Williams. In 1951 he was called up for active duty in the Korean conflict, was stationed for the duration of the conflict at Cherry Point, North Carolina, flying most often the F4U.
Professionally, Fred started in the technical department at the Brown Company in New Hampshire, moved to be the General Manger of the Georgia-Pacific pulp and tissue mill in Plattsburgh, New York, and then to Watertown, New York as the President of the ailing Brownville Paper Company. After successfully navigating Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for the Brownville Paper Company Fred left the paper business to become co-owner of the Slack Chemical Company in Carthage New York.
Released from the time constraints of work in 1988 Fred retired to Maine and devoted himself full time to the many enjoyable pursuits hampered by work: sailing, tennis, rock-scaping, skiing, snowshoeing, iceboating, beekeeping, cabinetry, land management, travel, community volunteering, and extensive non-fiction reading.
While not graduating from Williams, Fred enthusiastically “rejoined” Williams as class agent for the class’s 25th reunion and remained close to the class and the college thereafter. He, and wife Ann, attended class reunions, mini-reunions, and a multitude of parent events as parents of Sam ‘77 and Martha ’79.
An early giver to the College as part of the planned giving program he delighted in receiving his annuity checks, and watching the value of the gift as it grew over time. He was the class secretary for many years, writing his last submission two weeks before his death at home. Williams mattered.