William Gray Warden III

William Gray Warden III of Newtown Square William Gray Warden III, 82, died peacefully on March 18, 2015 in the Bahamas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Green Warden; daughter Catherine W. Elkins; sons William G. Warden IV, Jeffrey C. Warden, Richard A. Warden; 11 grandchildren, four step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren. He grew up in Haverford and attended the Haverford School (’50) where he played soccer and ran track. He graduated from Williams College (’54) and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force where he became a pilot and flew early generation single engine jets. His last commission was as a Captain. Following his service he joined Superior Tube Company which his father and grandfather had founded in 1934. He worked in a number of positions there, eventually becoming Chairman of Superior Group, Inc. which was the successor entity to Superior Tube. He served as a trustee of Ursinus College, The Haverford School, The Baldwin School, Independence Seaport Museum, Historical Society of Pennsylvania and The Academy of Vocal Arts which his grandmother Helen Corning Warden had founded in 1934. Perhaps his most notable trait was his love of sailing and the sea. His son Jeff stated that “my father was one of the best prepared and most capable offshore sailors most people have ever been with” and his extensive racing and cruising were a large part of his life. He was a Commodore of the Cruising Club of America’s Chesapeake Station, Commodore of The Corinthian Yacht Club, and was a member of the New Bedford Yacht Club and the Hopetown Yacht Club. Other club memberships included the Radnor Hunt Club and Aronimink Golf Club. Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Friday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m., at The Church of the Good Samaritan located at 212 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA. Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Haverford School or Ursinus College.