Bill Settle, past UPHS President, 1922-2010
We are sorry to announce that our friend and Past President William (Bill) Settle has made his last run. Bill passed away on January 29th at his home in Portola Valley, CA.
Bill was a long time member of the Union Pacific Historical Society. He served on the Board of Directors of the Society from 1993 until 2008. From 1996 until 2001 he served as the President. While on the Board Bill championed and spearheaded the development of the “Strategic Plan”. That plan is the fundamental building block on which the Society has operated since. The current Advertising and Marketing efforts are direct result of the recently updated version of that plan. He was also directly responsible for finding and encouraging our current and esteemed “Streamliner” Editor, John Signor to take over editing tasks of our Publications. Because of declining health he has been unable to actively participate in Society events in recent years.
Bill was born in Long Beach, California, to Dr. and Mrs. Francis B. Settle. On his passing Bill lived with his wife of 63 years, Eleanor. He served with the US Army Armored Forces in Europe, 1942-1946. He was drafted in 1941 and became a member of the 1st Infantry Division VI Corps which was involved in the North Africa Landing, fighting through North Africa. He and his unit were transferred to England to make preparations for the D-Day invasion. He was involved in the Normandy Invasion where he was injured. He was sent back to England for R&R. After recovering fully he was reassigned as a Medic with the Third Army (General Patton) and served to the end with that unit.
On his return from active duty in 1946 he and Eleanor married. They soon moved to Palo Alto, CA where Bill finished up his BS Degree work at Stanford University that same year. He completed his MBA at Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1956.
Those who knew Bill will not be surprised by the vast number of groups and Societies he was a member of: the Stanford University Alumni Association, Stanford Business School, Theta Xi Fraternity, Palo Alto Masonic F & AM Lodge # 346, Scottish Rite-San Jose Bodies, SIRS-Branch 51 Palo Alto, Menlo Country Club and Barbershop Peninsulaires. He served as a Director to the following; Southern Pacific Retired Executives Club, San Jose Society of Model Engineers, Santa Fe Modelers Association and the Union Pacific Historical Society. Even as he reduced his daily involvement in these organizations he was unable to “retire” completely. He was involved in many committees and activities with The Sequoias Retirement Community in Portola Valley, his last residence.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor, daughter Lynne Gums (husband Jerry), son Norman Settle (wife Nancy), grandson Tom Hamilton (wife Meghan) and great grandchildren Jack and Emma Hamilton, granddaughter Katie Shaffer (husband Ethan). He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. Francis B. Settle of Long Beach, CA. The family has chosen not to have a public service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to any charity of your choice.