William Putnam

1937 - 2025

William Ignatius Putnam, III, 88, of Midlothian, VA, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on October 31, 1937, Bill was the cherished son of Salome Guthrie Putnam and William I. Putnam, Jr., of West Point, VA. He is survived by his daughter Shelby P. Ern and son-in-law David, and grandson Alex and his wife Hayden; his daughter-in-law Jeanne R. Stallings and her husband Charlie, and grandchildren Reade, Hayden and his wife Sarah. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years Rebecca Westmoreland Putnam, his son, William I. Putnam IV, and his grandson, Andrew William Ern; his sister Kathryn Putnam Kinzer and her husband Charles William Kinzer, MD. Bill was a proud 1960 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, was a member of the Corps of Cadets, was an officer in the prestigious Highty-Tighties regimental band, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Bill's impactful 40-year career with DuPont took him from Richmond to Chattanooga and back. He retired from the Spruance Plant in Chesterfield County in 2000. "Granddaddy" as he was known by his grandchildren enjoyed a lifelong passion of playing golf, recording two holes-in-one during his prime. Bill was an engineer at heart tinkering on anything mechanical, but he loved being a husband, father, and grandfather more than anything. A service will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026, in the Memorial Garden at the Episcopal Church of The Redeemer, 2341 Winterfield Road, Midlothian, VA, 23113. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church in Bill's memory.