William D. Betts, 79, of Mattapoisett and Palm Beach, FL passed away January 12, 2007 in Florida, after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Curtis Betts of Mattapoisett.
Mr. Betts was a private investor and retired New Bedford textile executive. For thirty years, he was an executive with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. -- initially as personnel director and later vice president of the textile company, which employed thousands in its New Bedford and Manchester, NH mills through the 1970's.
As overseas competitors forced the U.S. mills out of business in the 1980's, Mr. Betts oversaw the closing Berkshire's textile operations and conversion of the real estate to other uses. He stayed with Berkshire Hathaway as president of the company's real estate subsidiary until his retirement.
Mr. Betts was tireless in seeking economic development opportunities for New Bedford as its major employers closed or left the area. He was involved in a variety of civic activities over the years, including scholarship organizations, Junior Achievement, The Wamsutta Club, the board of directors of the New Bedford YMCA, and teaching graduate business courses at Southeastern Massachusetts University.
Born in New York City, the son of the late David Roy Betts and Della (Winnie) Betts, he was a graduate of Stuyvesant High School and the University of Maine, where he met Mary. His education was interrupted for service in the U.S. Army, as a sergeant with the Military Police in the Philippines. After college Mr. Betts returned to New York, where he started his career at Household Finance, later moving to McGregor-Doniger Sportswear. He joined Berkshire Hathaway in 1966 shortly after it was acquired by investor Warren Buffett, and moved to Mattapoisett that year.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, William David Betts, Jr. of Kinnelon, NJ, Donald Betts of Brooklyn, NY, Robert Betts of East Windsor, CT and Curtis Betts-O'Rourke of Newton; a daughter, Dorothea Daniel of Amherst, NH; and 12 grandchildren.
Visiting hours Tuesday, January 16th from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service and burial on Wednesday will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Bedford YMCA, 25 South Water St., New Bedford, MA 02740.