William McCollam Jr.

1925 - 2016

William McCollam, Jr., age 91, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on July 30 of natural causes. Born in New Orleans, McCollam was a native son of Louisiana, with distinguished careers in both the military and in the energy industry. He grew up in Houma, Louisiana, and entered Louisiana State University at the age of 15. He graduated from LSU in 1943 with a Bachelor's degree in arts and sciences, and entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was described as having a "natural curiosity and a knack for mathematics, with unlimited energy and a desire to help others." After graduating from West Point with honors in 1946, McCollam served in the Korean War, receiving two Bronze Stars for service in the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade. He was stationed in Guam, Washington state, Japan, and Korea, and participated in the Battle of Inchon, which was an amphibious landing. After serving stateside and abroad, McCollam went on to earn his Master of Engineering in 1954 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He returned to West Point as an Instructor in the Department of Military Art and Engineering from 1958 to 1961. He also served in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1946 to 1961, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. McCollam was a pioneer in the energy industry and was a frequent spokesperson on energy policy. He began his career in the industry with Arkansas Power and Light Company in 1961, where he served in various executive capacities for nine years. He later joined New Orleans Public Service in New Orleans as Executive Vice President and was named President in 1971. McCollam also served as Chairman of the Southwest Power Pool and the National Electric Reliability Council, now the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. In 1978, McCollam was named President of the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, DC, where he served until 1990. During his tenure at EEI, which is the trade association that represents the nation's investor-owned electric companies, McCollam was a spokesperson for the industry and led the industry's response to several fuel supply crises and numerous environmental regulations. He also established a regular meeting of utility CEOs around the world and developed key international energy policies. Following his retirement from EEI, McCollam became an energy management consultant, and also served on the Boards of Directors of McDermott International, New Orleans, and Burns and Roe Enterprises, New Jersey. A registered professional engineer, McCollam received the A.B. Paterson Award in 1975, the Louisiana Engineering Society's highest recognition for managerial achievement by an engineer in an executive position. In 1985, he was installed as a member of the Louisiana State University Hall of Distinction, and, in 1991, he received the third United States Energy Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the United States Energy Association and the World Energy Council. In 2004, McCollam retired to his home in New Orleans to spend time with extended family, particularly his brothers, John McCollam (and wife Julie) of New Orleans, and Edmund McCollam (and wife Anne) of Houma, and his brothers-in-law, Wilbur Joffrion (and wife Beebe) and Bush Joffrion, of Baton Rouge. During his time in New Orleans, McCollam was active in community affairs. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce of the New Orleans area and on the executive boards of numerous organizations, including the New Orleans Area Council, the Boy Scouts of America, Loyola University, the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Society, the New Orleans Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Business School Council of Tulane University's Graduate School of Business Administration and the University's President's Council. He was a member of the St. Lazarus Society, as well as a member of several Mardi Gras carnival organizations. A lifelong Episcopalian, McCollam was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. McCollam is survived by his wife, Hope Joffrion McCollam, who was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, and now lives in Atlanta. He is also survived by his daughter, Ellendale McCollam Hoffman, and her husband, Charles, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and their children, Alexandra and Charles; his son, William Cage McCollam of Galveston, Texas; and his son, Stephen Mason McCollam, and his wife, Kimberly, of Atlanta, and their children Grace, Clara, and Ellie. McCollam leaves behind a large extended family, as well as numerous colleagues and friends, who remain grateful for his example of leadership, integrity, and family loyalty. Visiting hours will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, on Saturday, August 20, at 10:00 am, followed by funeral services in the church at 11:00. A graveside burial with full Military Funeral Honors will follow at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make memorial donations to Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans, or to a charity of your choice.