June 2, 2008
Charlottesville native William C. Battle, son of a Virginia governor, former U.S. ambassador to Australia and a retired textiles executive, died after suffering a stroke. He was 87.
"Bill was an elegant, deeply intelligent man, who was also
blessed with a quick wit and engaging style," U.Va. President John
T. Casteen III said in a statement. "We will miss many things
about Bill Battle, but especially his wise counsel and his great
passion for the University of Virginia."
Battle died Saturday at the University of Virginia Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman and Hill and Wood Funeral Service said Monday.
He was the son of John S. Battle, who served as Virginia governor from 1950-1954. In 1969, the younger Battle made his own Democratic bid for governor, losing to Linwood Holton, the first Republican governor of Virginia since Reconstruction.
Battle served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was in the same squadron in the South Pacific as John F. Kennedy. He was awarded the Silver Star for his service.
Battle retired in 1983 as president and chief executive of Fieldcrest Mills, a textile firm that now is a part of Pillowtex Corp. The Charlottesville native also had served as a member of U.Va.'s Board of Visitors.
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