William Berner

William Berner, 85, of West Lafayette died at St. Elizabeth Hospital on Friday, April 27, 2007. He was born in Long Branch NJ on April 9, 1922 to the late Joseph S. and Esther Williams Berner . In 1939 he graduated from East Orange High School in NJ and in 1940 he served as National President of Children of the American Revolution. He married Claire B. Brinley on August 26, 1950 in West Long Branch NJ and she preceded him February 11, 1995 He received his BA from Upsala College in Orange NJ his MA from Southern Methodist College in Dallas TX, he remained on the staff at SMU until 1955. In 1942 he enlisted in the Navy V-12 program, was assigned to Drew University and was commissioned at Midshipman School at Columbia University, He served with SACO, Sino-American Cooperative Organization, a Navy group assigned to China during WWII, and later served as an educational service officer at Guam Naval Base. He joined the housing staff at Purdue University as manager of Men's residence "X" (now Meredith Hall). He worked on the planning for the "H" halls and was manager of Men's residence "H-1" (now Owen Hall) in 1957 and Men's residence "H-3" (now Wiley Hall) in 1958. In 1961 he was named assistant director of Men's residence halls and promoted to associate director of residence halls in 1969. For 20 years he was responsible for space management of the residence halls. When he retired in 1986, he was named associate director emeritus. He was a member of the Association of College and University Housing officers-international from its early years and helped to mold this professional housing organization. He served on the membership committee, telephone committee and in 1966 the host committee at their annual conference at Purdue. In addition he served on the conference program committee for many years and on the legal issues committee. In 1973 he was elected member-at-large to the executive committee. He was organizing chairman of the Great Lakes region of the association in 1972 and received their service award in 1984. He was named to the hall of fame in 1986. He participated in the Purdue bowling league from 1955-1975 and was a member of the Purdue President's council, John Purdue Coach's Club, and a life member of the Purdue Musical organizations. Students name him an honorary member of Tomahawk and the Reamer Club. In 1985 he received the Special Boilermaker Award. His community involvement included service on the West Lafayette Housing Authority and the West Lafayette School Board. He also served as president of the West Lafayette Parent Teacher Organization. In 1973 he was named Boss of the year by the American Business Women's Association. As a member of Federated Church, he served on the Board of Deacon's, Board of Elders, and the Board of Missions. In 1986 he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Robert B. Orr. From 1986-1989 he served on the Purdue President's Advisory Council on retirement. In 1995 he was appointed to the +50 Forum of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Surviving are 3 daughters, Lynn B (husband Roger) Wentz of Fairfax VA., Chris B. (husband A. Durston) Dodge of Evergreen CO., Beth D. (husband Wayne) Shug of Carmel IN., Friends may call from 5-8pm Monday, April 30, 2007. at Hippensteel funeral Home with service there on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 with Officiating. with interment at Grandview Cemetery. Surviving are 5 Grandsons Brian and Alex Wentz, Matthew and Adam Dodge, and Jason Shug. Share memories and condolences on line at Hippensteelfuneralhome.com