William Adolphus "Bill" Graham IV

GRAHAM WILLIAM A., IV William Adolphus Graham IV, "Bill", passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025, surrounded by family. Bill was a beloved husband, father and grandfather; loyal friend, and renowned business leader who invested deeply in the people and community around him. Bill was born in Philadelphia on March 1, 1941, and displayed his signature passion, drive and willingness to face life head-on at an early age. At 13, he was diagnosed with diabetes and given just two years to live. Bill responded by throwing himself into sports and school and doing everything possible to manage his condition – which he did, successfully, for 70 years. Bill became captain of his wrestling team in both high school (Penn Charter School) and college (Bucknell University), a sport that he loved for its independence. To win, he had to rely on himself. That mindset led to a storied business career. After joining his father's five-person insurance firm in 1962, Bill bought it out ten years later for $400,000 – a figure that would ensure a comfortable retirement for his mother. He re-imagined the standard approach to insurance and risk management, opting to hire top performers in engineering, law, accounting and other industries and rigorously train them in insurance. His process – and results – began attracting clients across the country, and over the next fifty years he grew The Graham Company from a six-person firm into one of the largest risk management consultancies and insurance and employee benefits brokers in the nation. Behind the scenes, Bill was dedicated to his family and loved enjoying simple pleasures together. After marrying his wife, Fran, in 1977 and starting a family, he spent his Saturdays cooking big breakfasts and taking his children, Quint and Laura, to the playground or down the shore. As they grew, family vacations in Avalon turned into international travel – but Bill was always a Philadelphia man at heart. He and Fran bought a house in Gladwyne in 1979 and lived there, happily, for the rest of his life. A Harley Davidson motorcycle aficionado – at one point, Bill owned four – he felt most at peace on his bike and especially loved riding with Fran. Bill was passionate about putting people first and giving back to the individuals and institutions who had supported him throughout his life. He famously turned down several offers to sell The Graham Company as he neared retirement, instead converting the firm into an employee-owned company in 2017 via an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Bill's decision meant that every employee benefited financially when the company was acquired by Marsh & McLennan Agency in 2023. Together, Bill and Fran gave generously to many charitable, artistic and social endeavors, including the William Penn Charter School, Bucknell University Athletics and Beat the Streets, a non-profit supporting leadership lessons and wrestling in the inner city. Their support reinstated men's wrestling as a varsity sport at Bucknell and bolstered an endowment for women's athletic programs at the university, among other initiatives. Bill was an experienced and mission-minded investor who often had a personal connection to the businesses he chose to support. He was one of the lead investors in The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News in 2006, when the papers were purchased by a group of local owners. Bill served as a board member for the paper and later continued his support of Philadelphia's independent, quality journalism with a significant gift to the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. He also chose to be an early investor in Animas after becoming one of the first users of the company's insulin pump. His financial backing helped propel the wide adoption of their insulin pumps. Over the years, Bill was recognized with numerous awards and honors for his professional leadership, philanthropic work and dedication to his community, yet he was most proud of the people in his life. Bill will be deeply missed, but his legacy of generosity, innovation and passion will live on in his family, friends and colleagues. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Fran; his children, William A. Graham V ("Quint") and Laura Graham; his granddaughters Elizabeth, Caroline, Marion and Paloma Graham; his sister Judith Carver and his brother Robert Graham. A Memorial Service to Celebrate his Life and legacy will be held on Friday, Feb. 7th at 1 P.M. in the sanctuary of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the wrestling programs for Bucknell University or the William Penn Charter School.