WILLIAM T. BESSE

Born: July 1, 1940
Died: December 30, 2003

William T. Besse was a native of the Cleveland area. He prepared for Yale at University School in Cleveland, one of 8 classmates who attended Yale. He was the son of Ralph M. Besse and Augusta (Betsy) Besse. His father was a prominent figure in the Cleveland business community in the 1950's and the first regional nuclear power plant was named after his father.

In Freshman year Bill roomed with Gary Salenger and Rob Flint in Vanderbilt. He was, Rob recalls, "a shy, likeable guy who was not happy at Yale. He seemed to do a prodigious amount of sleeping and smoking that year." Sophomore year he was one of the few who had a car and Rob happily remembers joining him on a road trip to Smith.

Bill was a member of Trumbull College but left Yale after Sophomore year and did not return.

Bill worked for 30 years at General Electric Corporation as an information systems expert. He was stationed at the Nela Park facility in East Cleveland when he retired. He was described by co-workers as "kind, very intelligent and always willing to help. He mentored many young employees during his tenure."

Bill died suddenly on December 30, 2003, and was survived by his daughter Elizabeth B. Benjamin of Richmond Heights, Ohio, his stepson Robert G. Jillson of Chicago, his stepdaughters Susan J. Boulden of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Carolyn Jillson of Cameroon and his mother. He also left his sister Jean B. Minehart of Charlottesville, Virginia, his brother Robert of Alliance, Ohio, and 7 grandchildren. Bill was interred in Lake View Cemetery after services at Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights.

Unfortunately, little is known of the details of his life after he left our class. The information we do have was graciously provided by Yale classmates Bill Boyer and Rob Flint and by Colleen Melena of University School.