It is with sore and stricken hearts that we pass along the loss of William N. “Bill” Wishard III, Delta Delta ’64 (Williams) who passed away on Wednesday, January 17th. Bill has served Psi U in many roles over the years, he joined the Executive Council in 1997 and became an Honorary Life Member of the Board in 2013. He also served as a Director of the Foundation in the early 2000’s and was very involved with the Annual Fund Campaign even after his time on the board. He was a regular presence at Psi U events, especially those held on the west coast, and was known for his kindness and warmth.
Most notably Bill was a longtime advisor of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at Pepperdine University; he became re-engaged with Psi U in the 1990s when the local fraternity, Lambda Omega Sigma, approached Psi Upsilon to become a chapter. Bill’s counsel was instrumental in building that relationship and making the transition a successful one. In 1999 and again in 2000 Bill was named advisor of the year by Pepperdine University for his work with the chapter. In 2017 the Lambda Sigma Chapter nominated Bill for the Psi Upsilon Distinguished Alumni Service Award at the 174th Psi Upsilon Convention for his years of support.
Bill joined Psi U as a sophomore at Williams College in September 1960. The Delta Delta chapter was known as an outstanding fraternity on campus, filled with many student leaders. “For a rather shy young man from a small high school in Indiana, becoming part of Psi U was a huge highlight of my years at Williams … My acceptance and assimilation into, for me, such a diverse group, was a big step – a hallmark for what has continued to be my experience with Psi U brothers I have met since then.”
Originally from Indianapolis, IN, Bill led a full life and service was always an important part of it. Bill was a leader in Up With People, the1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and Wishard & Associates, organizing international peace events. He was very involved in Rotary, and a past president of the Malibu, CA chapter where a number of Psi U’s were involved.
If you knew Bill and would like to leave a comment or a story for his family please leave it below and share your name. We will be collecting them and sharing them with his daughters Keri and Alison.
You can view Bill’s obituary at the IndyStar website. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to Psi Upsilon, you can use this link.
Bill receiving an award from the Lambda Sigma Chapter in 2001 
At the Sam Schmidt Racing to Recovery Gala in 2016. Sam Schmidt was a founder of Lambda Omega Sigma Fraternity. 
Bill with William Webster, Gamma ’47 at the 168th Psi U Convention 
With members of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at the 174th Convention 
With members of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at the 174th Convention 
Fall 2021 at a Lambda Sigma Reunion in Santa Monica 
Bill is seated in the front row, 4th from the left.
Since the first time I had the pleasure of meeting Bill in 2001 his kindness and warmth towards others and overall optimistic attitude was evident and contagious. He always had a smile on his face, and one that was natural and never forced. Living in Indianapolis I would sometimes join Bill for events around the annual Indy 500 – he would almost always return to town for the festivities. And – maybe it was that smile and warmth, but he would have no problem approaching anyone or going anywhere at these events: I remember in 2012 Bill introducing me to Helio Castrovenes at a Sam Scmidt Racing to Recovery Gala like they were old friends. He had a knack for calling the office on Friday afternoons, and the discussions would rarely be short, often filled with stories of Psi U’s he’d meet (especially around Malibu Rotary) and his time at Williams or a Williams reunion – and he’d always inquire about how the Lambda Sigma Chapter was doing and how he could help. – Thomas Fox, Omicron 2000