William B. Draper ’57
William B. Draper ’57 passed away on January 18, 2015, in Vista, California. He grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and came to Dartmouth from Mercersburg Academy. At Dartmouth Bill was an English major and belonged to Theta Delta Chi, the dormitory committee, drill team and varsity wrestling team. He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego. Bill spent from 1957 to 1978 as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. From 1978 to 1987 he served as deputy district attorney for San Diego County. From 1987 to his retirement in 2002 he was judge of the superior court in San Diego County. Two of the traditions that he and his wife, Betsy, participated in were the Courtroom/Classroom Program, educating students in the justice system, and the celebration of the Marine Corps birthday annually in the Vista courthouse. A friend writes: “Everyone who interacted with Bill Draper—devoted husband and father, loyal friend and golf buddy, decorated Marine, deputy district attorney and respected judge—was struck by his decency, integrity and sharp wit. Bill was definitely the person you’d want by your side in any situation that life presented.” Bill is survived by Betsy, three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
