Chapter Eternal - William R. Kress III '60

William R. Kress III's 1960 Graaduation Photo

We have been honored to call him our Brother. The condolences of Theta Chi’s extended worldwide family are offered to the family and friends of our deceased brother.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of:

William R. Kress III '60

William Raymond (Bill) Kress, 75, died February 20, 2014, after a long illness. He was born June 10, 1938, in Reading, PA. At the age of 15 he moved with his family to Camp Hill, PA. Bill graduated from West Shore High School in Lemoyne, PA, and in 1960 earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, where he was president of Theta Chi fraternity.

Immediately after graduation, Bill went to work for IBM in Endicott, NY, then in 1965 transferred to Raleigh. He held various positions at IBM, and at his retirement in 1996 was Site General Manager of IBM's Research Triangle Park facility, IBM Senior State Executive in North Carolina, and Vice President of Manufacturing.

In 1997 Bill was named chairman of the combined Triangle United Way Campaign. The following year he came out of retirement to become President and CEO of the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC), before retiring again in 2001.

Over the years Bill served on many business, civic, academic and charitable boards, and was the recipient of many awards, including Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumnus; Outstanding Achievement Award from NC Electronics and Information Technologies; Honorary Doctorate of Civil Laws from Saint Augustine's College; Friend of Education Award from Wake Education Partnership; and the Archie K. Davis Award for Advancement of Research Triangle Park. The honor of which he was most proud was The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, given for extraordinary service to the state of North Carolina.

In his personal time, Bill enjoyed amateur radio (a hobby since the age of 13 when he first got his license), tennis, golf, boating, motorcycling, woodworking, gardening and building his family's vacation home at Lake Gaston. Some of his most cherished times were spent with family and friends in Wyoming, where he enjoyed fly-fishing, golfing, hiking and appreciating the beauty of the West.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bonnie,  former sweetheart of Omega; daughter Susan Dianto and son-in-law James Dianto, of Prosper, TX; son Stephen Kress of Raleigh; sisters Kathy Dickson (and husband Jim) of Atlanta, GA; Karen Rockey (and husband Keith) of Enola, PA, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Kress of Mechanicsburg, PA. 

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Wake County, The Oaks at Mayview, and Kenneth Kanusu for the dedicated care they provided to Bill in his final months.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held Monday, February 24, at 4:00 PM, at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. The service will be immediately followed by a reception with the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Triangle United Way, P.O. Box 110387, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-5387 (www.unitedwaytriangle.org).