Bill was a member of an old and distingished Williams Family. I remember him as a very positive and upbeat person. There was not an ounce of negativity or unkindness in Bill.
Bill took his studies seriously, but he also had one of those wry senses of humor that drew lots of different Ephs to him. I think he was a loyal member of Psi U if memory serves me all these years later.
Yet, what I remember most about Bill was his spending time with an organization known as UP WITH PEOPLE. I never knew whether that organization was religious, political, or something else, BUT, wow, could the people in UP WITH PEOPLE sing!
Instead of my trying to write down the words to the UP WITH PEOPLE THEME SONG, let me suggest that those of you who read this comment simply Google the UP WITH PEOPLE THEME SONG on You Tube and watch and listen for about two minutes. I think that video captures quite well the spirit and goodness of this unique classmate of ours. Sing on, Bill!
I didn't know Bill well in college, but we had fun together at recent reunion weekends. At our 55th reunion in 2019, Bill insisted on riding "shotgun" in the our '65 Mustang convertible as we led the Class up the hill on the parade. Was hoping to reunite with him again this June. We'll miss him.
Up With People developed from Moral Re-Armament, which Bill spoke of often in our college days. Bill arranged a lecture at Williams by Peter Howard, who had recently assumed the MRA leadership position upon the death of founder Frank Buchman. Bill and I kept in touch over the years in California and at Williams reunions.
William Niles Wishard, III, born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 26, 1941 and a 20-year resident of Malibu, California, died peacefully January 17th, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was a devoted son, father and grandfather, loving brother, uncle, cousin, and a dedicated alumnus. He had a knack for being in the right place at the right time and the instinct and perseverance to turn chance encounters into golden opportunities. He was an enthusiast for adventure, world history, and all things automobile related. He attended 25+ Indianapolis 500 races with his cousin Jerry.
Known affectionately as Bill, Will, or ‘Mr. Rotary’, he was the middle child born to Dr. William Niles Wishard, Jr. and Carolyn Davis Wishard. Bill was from a long line of pioneers in medicine and spiritual leaders dedicated to humanitarianism, who inspired his own dedication to changing the world. Each organization, institution, or club that Bill participated in over his lifetime became a thread in the fabric of his identity. After graduating from Park School (Class of ‘59), Bill entered Williams College as a pre-med student and pledged Psi Upsilon Fraternity to continue his service to society. After his sophomore year at Williams, Bill took a year’s leave to participate in an organization working to promote peace throughout Southeast Asia. After returning to the Williams, he had a private conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who had just delivered a speech at Williams College. Dr. King encouraged him to keep believing in his own dream of “changing the world through changing people’s hearts.” This inspired Bill to move away from his pre-medical pathway toward one that focused on bringing international youth together to build understanding and unity to a changing world.
Across 27 countries and six continents, Bill fulfilled this charge through his work with Up With People, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Elan Vital, Williams College Alumni Association, Psi Upsilon Fraternity, Rotary International, Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital Brain Injury Alumni Association, Wings Over Wendy’s, the U.S. Census, and as a federal election poll worker. He produced the first Super Bowl Half Time Show featuring Up With People, which became the only musical group to perform at the Super Bowl Half Time four times.
Bill Wishard lived an inspiring life as a father, community leader and ambassador of hope and peace. He worked to lift others through his work, his friendships, his devotion to family history, and his everyday actions. Bill never met a stranger, and his lasting impact on so many individuals made him many life-long friends.
Bill is survived by his daughters and sons-in-laws Keri Wishard Wootton and Robert Wootton Jr. of Austin, TX and Alison Wishard Guerra and Eduardo Guerra; grandchildren Brady William Wootton (22), Sofía Alexandra Wishard Guerra (16), Alina Luz Monteros Guerra (13); his life-long best friend and former wife, Mary Wishard, and her partner Randy Lamont; his sister and brother-in-law Susan and David Poston; brother and sister-in-law Gordon and Anne EmisonWishard; his cousins Gerald Hallett (and wife Kathy) and Diana Wishard Clemente; his nieces, Sarah Poston, Claire Wishard Hoppenworth, nephews Chris Poston, and Gordon Wishard Jr., and their beloved children whom he adored along with his own grandchildren.
Peter Buttenheim
Bill was a member of an old and distingished Williams Family. I remember him as a very positive and upbeat person. There was not an ounce of negativity or unkindness in Bill.
Bill took his studies seriously, but he also had one of those wry senses of humor that drew lots of different Ephs to him. I think he was a loyal member of Psi U if memory serves me all these years later.
Yet, what I remember most about Bill was his spending time with an organization known as UP WITH PEOPLE. I never knew whether that organization was religious, political, or something else, BUT, wow, could the people in UP WITH PEOPLE sing!
Instead of my trying to write down the words to the UP WITH PEOPLE THEME SONG, let me suggest that those of you who read this comment simply Google the UP WITH PEOPLE THEME SONG on You Tube and watch and listen for about two minutes. I think that video captures quite well the spirit and goodness of this unique classmate of ours. Sing on, Bill!
Peter Buttenheim
Frank Loscalzo
I didn't know Bill well in college, but we had fun together at recent reunion weekends. At our 55th reunion in 2019, Bill insisted on riding "shotgun" in the our '65 Mustang convertible as we led the Class up the hill on the parade. Was hoping to reunite with him again this June. We'll miss him.
Nicholas Goodhue
Notice posted in the website of Bill's fraternity:
https://psiu.org/psi-upsilon-mourns-the-loss-of-bill-wishard-delta-delta-64-williams/
Up With People developed from Moral Re-Armament, which Bill spoke of often in our college days. Bill arranged a lecture at Williams by Peter Howard, who had recently assumed the MRA leadership position upon the death of founder Frank Buchman. Bill and I kept in touch over the years in California and at Williams reunions.
Dick "Skip" Dunn