William Ramsay James was born on October 6, 1933 in South Bend, Indiana. He passed peacefully on October 21, 2018 surrounded by his family, having only days earlier celebrated his 85th birthday.

“Bill” was a graduate of Cranbrook School, matriculating to Princeton University where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After serving his country as a pilot in the United States Air Force, gaining the rank of Lieutenant and being honorably discharged, Bill continued his education by receiving an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Bill’s business career was wide and varied, starting as an engineer for Ford Motor Company, and moving onto CPA giant Touche Ross (now DeLoitte & Touche) where he was named a partner. Bill then was recruited by Capital Cities Communications, where he was named General Manager at various media operations, including radio superstation WJR of Detroit. Bill then created and grew Capital Cities’ very successful Cable Television Division, until it was sold to the Washington Post, due to regulatory restrictions, when Capital Cities purchased the American Broadcast Corporation (ABC). Bill then founded and operated his own cable television company, James Communications, for many years.

In his spare time Bill served on the Board of Directors for AAA, and as Chairman of the Board of Beaumont Hospital.

Bill leaves his wife of 63 years Jane (Mehrer); children Martha Quay (John), and William James (Babette); grandchildren Courtney Quay Gardiner (Alexander); James Quay, John Quay, William James, and Harry James; as well as great grandchildren Jane, Quay, and Price Gardiner. All will miss him dreadfully.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, December 1st at 10:00 AM at Christ Church Cranbrook to celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be sent to Beaumont Health Foundation in support of their Nursing Education and Training Fund, P.O. Box 5802, Troy, MI, 48007.

Source: Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan): Sunday, 25 November 2018: page A28.